Some Tips to Visit Bogor Famous Annual Street Festival, Cap Go Meh

Cultural acculturation has existed since ancient times. In the very diverse realm of Archipelago Culture, cultural acculturation is inevitable. Harmonious Acculturation of Archipelago Culture always emerges to unique local wisdom. One of the acculturation of Chinese culture with the Indonesian people was recorded in a cultural arts festival known as the Bogor Street Festival, Cap Go Meh. 

Cap Go Meh is the highlight of the Chinese New Year celebration (Lunar New Year). Etymologically Cap Go comes from the Hokkien dialect which means 'fifteen', and Meh which means 'night'. This is also based on this celebration which falls on every 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. 

Cap Go Meh in Bogor City itself has existed since the Dutch colonial era, then continued under President Soekarno's leadership. The Cap Go Meh celebration was then not allowed under President Soeharto's leadership. For 32 years there has not been a lively and open Cap Go Meh celebration in Bogor. It was only after President Soeharto stepped down that the Cap Go Meh celebration came back to life. Precisely in 2000 during the leadership of President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. 

The Cap Go Meh celebration in Bogor City was transformed into a people's party accompanied by a cultural party that unites people from various backgrounds. The activities and performances are also getting livelier every year. 

Every year, a parade is held along Jalan Suryakencana towards Jalan Siliwangi. Meanwhile, the Cap Go Meh ritual activities only take place in the area within the temple, namely at Dewa Hok Tek Temple - or what is now called the Dhanagun Vihara in Bogor which is on Jalan Suryakencana No.1. 

Not only Barongsai and Liong performances, Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh will also present Indonesian cultural arts such as Betawi Ondel-ondel, Reog Ponorogo, Angklung Banyumasan, Menong Purwakarta, Nyerere Ciamis, Burok Cirebon, Ogoh-Ogoh Bali, Gendang Beleq Lombok, and many more. Even along Jalan Suryakencana to Jalan Siliwangi there will also be several stages at certain points that will present traditional dances. And apart from that, at this celebration, visitors can also enjoy a variety of culinary delights that are being sold by UMKM at the event location. 

Every year Cap Go Meh in Bogor has a different theme. In the year of the water tiger 2022, the Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh also presents interesting activities with the theme "Embracing Diversity". Even though it was held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bogor Street Festival Cap Go Meh 2022 continued to run lively. 

This year itself, the Cap Go Meh activity was held offline on Sunday, February 5th 2023. This year the event was very lively as well, and was attended by important figures such as the Mayor of Bogor, the Governor of West Java, and others. 

For those of you who want to witness the Cap Go Meh Festival in the next year or in the years to come, here are tips that you can apply when you want to visit this festival. 

1. Park the vehicle in a special area