“Banana Pirates” Group Promoted Education to Love Culture and Environment for Local Communities of Banana Island in Their Vacation

A vacation or holiday is a leave of absence from a regular occupation, or a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances, or for specific festivals or celebrations. The concept of taking a vacation is a recent invention, and has developed through the last two centuries. Vacation is often synonymous with fun activities, get together with family and spend a lot of money. However, different concept of taking a vacation had been carried out by students of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). Incorporated into the socio-traveller community "Banana Pirates", the inter-Departmental group of IPB student have initiated to organize "Banana Adventure"  trip to Pisang Island, Lampung, last month. Their trip was coloured with social activities and devotion. This activity was the manifestation of Banana Pirates vision to make socio-traveller as a new vacation trend, not only taking a walk but also share to others. Pisang Island is a small island located in Lampung Province.

The participants of “Banana Adventure” are applicants who were recruited openly through various social media. Criterions to be members “Banana Adventure” do not require applicants should be students of IPB, the most important things they should be willing to commit and participate in all activities to planned by the group," said Kays, Founder of Banana Pirates.

Applicants come from 4 campuses namely IPB, Diponegoro University (UNDIP), Lampung State University (UNILA), and IAIN Surakarta.

"In the 3-night and 4-day journey, in addition enjoying the virgin beach atmosphere, we also do social activities such as teaching children related on character education, love culture and environment. The condition of education in Pisang Island is apprehensive because there are only 2 elementary schools and 1 junior high school, while for high school, children have to wander outside the island. In the evenings, we also tried to share some religious knowledge by teaching the children's to read Al’Quran at the mosque in Banana Island. Both participants and children looked very familiar, "added Kays who is also a student of the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, of the Faculty of Agriculture, of IPB.

Not only that, Banana Adventure participants also visited the houses of the communities, to know the characteristics of the community directly, and to accommodate their aspirations related to daily problems to be forwarded to the authorities.

"This activity is really exciting. No regret joining the group.  I learn a lot of useful knowledge I could not get in the classes.  Yesterday we learned to measure the depths of the ocean, the slope of the coast, the clarity of water and also about the culture of the local community. Hopefully the next activity will be in different areas with different condition, the mountainous, "said Annisya Istiqomah, one of the participants from the School of Business IPB.

Kays stated that Pisang island is really a very beautiful island with its natural conditions, especially its beaches are still well preserved. However, inadequate access, such as the difficulties in going in and out of the island as bridge connecting the island. It is really required for economy development of Banana Island.

This is very unfortunate, of infrastructure of the islands is challenging. The beautiful beaches are not promoted and  no adequate accommodation is available. Moreover, no   typical souvenir resulted of Lampung craftsman and others are available.

To avail traditional souvenirs, BananaAdvanture participants visited the kain tapis handicraftsmen and conducted feasibility study of tourism in Banana Island. It was one of the post projects of this BananaAdventure program, Kays added. They planned to promote this kain tapis traditional handicraft Indonesia and the international communities as well.

On the visit to the kain tapis handicrafts they were accompanied by Kapolsek (Police officer) and Camat (Head of sub-district) of Pisang Island. (Wied)