The Biak Numfor Regency Government in Papua has organized the Kasumasa Festival from July 14 to 17, 2023, to highlight the potential of the agricultural and maritime sectors in order to achieve local food security. The festival aims to solidify Indonesia's maritime sovereignty in the Pacific with the tagline "Torang Hebat" (We are Great), according to Mahasunu, the Special Staff to the Biak Numfor Regent.
The Kasumasa Festival is part of the government's program for the people of Biak Numfor Regency and is a series of events leading up to the main event, the Sail Teluk Cenderawasih, scheduled for November 1-7, 2023. The festival includes various activities such as a small and medium-sized enterprises (UMKM) exhibition, agricultural harvest, TikTok video content creator competition featuring the Mayor Herry Ario Naap program, ethnic Papuan choir competition, vocal group competition, speech competition in Biak and English languages, traditional swimming competition, communal tuna fish meal with the community, and folk entertainment. The celebration of the 107th anniversary of the Biak Numfor Regency Government on July 17, 2023, will serve as the highlight of the festival.
Biak Regent Herry Ario Naap stated that the festivals organized by the Biak Numfor Regency Government are part of the Sail Teluk Cenderawasih event series, scheduled for November 1-7, 2023. The festivals aim to boost the economy and income of indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs and the local community in the village. The previous Biak Munara Wampasi Festival, held from July 1-8, 2023, resulted in transactions worth IDR 8 billion for UMKM participants and hotel occupancy rates reaching 85%. The festival also provided additional income for various individuals, from betel nut and betel leaf sellers to motorcycle taxi drivers and rental car services, benefiting the local economy and indigenous Papuan communities.
