Denpasar – Udayana University hosted the Lentera Wacana Festival for the Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago on Friday (September 18, 2026) at the Nusantara Room, Agrocomplex Building, Udayana University Sudirman Campus, Denpasar. The event was organized by the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) in collaboration with the Udayana University Alumni Association (IKAYANA).
The festival served as a forum for various stakeholders to discuss the existence, role, and future of indigenous communities amidst rapid social, economic, and technological changes, as well as the accelerating currents of globalization.
Attendees included leaders and members of Committee III of the DPD RI; the DPD RI member representing Bali Province (who also serves as the General Chairperson of IKAYANA); representatives from the Ministry of Culture and the Bali Provincial Government; Udayana University leadership and academic community; the *Bendesa Agung* (Supreme Leader) of the Bali Province Customary Village Council (*Majelis Desa Adat*); *Bendesa* (customary village heads); traditional and cultural figures; *Penglingsir Puri* (senior royal palace figures); as well as other participants and invitees.
Representing the Rector of Udayana University, the Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Gusti Ngurah Alit Susanta Wirya, S.P., M.Agr., expressed his appreciation to the DPD RI, IKAYANA, and all parties who initiated and organized the festival.
He noted that the presence of diverse elements at this event played a crucial role in fostering a dialogue space regarding the existence and role of indigenous communities in the face of changing times.
The theme concerning the indigenous peoples of the archipelago is considered increasingly relevant given the changes occurring across various sectors of life. He emphasized that technological advancements, economic growth, and globalization should not cause communities to lose their cultural roots and identities. Instead, the evolution of the times must go hand-in-hand with efforts to preserve the noble values that have long thrived within these communities.
Bali stands as a prime example of how custom and culture can coexist harmoniously with social life, education, the economy, and the tourism sector. In this context, indigenous communities are viewed not merely as guardians of the heritage of the past, but also as vital participants in present and future development.
Indigenous communities possess diverse forms of social capital and local knowledge—such as values of togetherness, solidarity, and community governance, alongside practices of local wisdom passed down through generations. These values and insights are considered highly relevant for addressing various development challenges while simultaneously upholding social and cultural sustainability.
Meanwhile, Dr. IB. Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, S.E., M.Si., Chairperson of IKAYANA (Udayana University Alumni Association), expressed the hope that the *Lentera Wacana Masyarakat Adat Nusantara* (Archipelago Indigenous Communities Discourse) Festival would serve not just as a forum to discuss indigenous communities, but as a space for genuine dialogue and engagement with them.
The forum aims to bring together knowledge, ideas, experiences, and perspectives from various parties, thereby fostering insights and actions that yield tangible benefits for indigenous communities.
As a higher education institution, Udayana University reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the preservation and development of culture through education, research, innovation, and community service.
Higher education institutions are expected to act as bridges connecting modern science with local wisdom, technological advancement with human values, and economic development needs with social, cultural, and environmental sustainability.
Cross-sector collaboration emerged as a key aspect of the forum. It is recognized that issues concerning indigenous communities cannot be resolved by a single party alone but require the synergy of various stakeholders.
This festival brings together representatives from the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), the central government, the Bali Provincial Government, vertical agencies, higher education institutions, customary and cultural bodies, tourism associations, figures from royal houses, the business sector, and the younger generation. The involvement of these diverse stakeholders is expected to open up broader avenues for cooperation in strengthening the presence and role of indigenous communities.
The forum aims to generate concrete follow-up actions, including policy recommendations, cooperative networks, collaborative research, and community empowerment programs. Thus, the *Lentera Wacana Masyarakat Adat Nusantara* Festival will not merely be a ceremonial event, but rather the starting point for sustained dialogue and collaboration.
Through this festival, the exchange of ideas and experiences is expected to contribute to efforts to strengthen the standing of indigenous communities while preserving the cultural richness of the Archipelago amidst the challenges of future development.
Culture is viewed not only as a heritage received from previous generations but also as a set of values to be kept alive, knowledge to be developed, and a legacy to be passed on to future generations.
The *Lentera Wacana Masyarakat Adat Nusantara* Festival is expected to benefit indigenous communities, Bali, and Indonesia, while serving as a sustainable platform to strengthen synergy among the government, universities, alumni, indigenous communities, the business sector, and the youth in preserving culture and building a sustainable society.