Ancient Kite

Kaghati Kolepe is unlike the paper kites we often see. They are made from kolope leaves or dried gadung tubers, bamboo skin, pineapple fibers, and strings. What’s special about these kites is that they are believed to be up to 4,000 years old, created by the ancestors of the Muna people. This makes Kaghati Kolepe one of the oldest types of kites in the world, and the Kaghati Kolepe kite displayed at the Layang Museum in South Jakarta (Indonesia) is the first and oldest kite in Indonesia as well as Southeast Asia.

Kaghati Kolepe: The First Kite in the World

According to the German kite enthusiast and researcher Wolfgang Bieck, Kaghati Kolepe from Muna, South Sulawesi, is the first kite ever flown by humans. Bieck asserted that kites from Muna have a longer history than those from China, supporting the argument that traditional kites from South Sulawesi are the oldest kites in the world.

Kaghati Kolepe is part of the kite collection displayed at the Layang Museum, located in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta. In addition to viewing kites from across Indonesia and the world, museum visitors can also learn how to make their own kites.

Kaghati Kolepe Festival

Every year, the people of Muna hold the Kaghati Kolepe Festival to commemorate and honor this tradition. The festival takes place from July 23 to 24 in Muna Regency, Southwest Sulawesi. During the festival, people participate in kite-making and flying competitions, along with other cultural activities such as culinary festivals and exhibitions of products from small and medium-sized enterprises.

Kaghati Kolepe is not just a traditional game but also an important part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. It not only brings joy to the people but also helps them connect with the past and understand more about their history and culture.

With its uniqueness and historical value, Kaghati Kolepe will surely continue to be an important cultural icon of Indonesia for many years to come.