The Maniamölö Festival 2025, held in Hilisimaetanö Village, South Nias Regency, became a space for cultural celebration as well as community collaboration. This annual festival is an initiative of the village government together with the South Nias Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports Office in an effort to strengthen the cultural identity of the Nias community.
This year, Yayasan Penyu Indonesia (YPI) joined the festival by opening an educational booth focused on environmental conservation, particularly sea turtle protection. The activities used an interactive approach such as games, songs, and creative activities to make learning more accessible and enjoyable for children.
Every afternoon, children gathered around the booth to take part in the educational sessions. Kimi, YPI’s hawksbill sea turtle mascot, became the most eagerly awaited figure for the kids.
One of the most popular activities was tote bag painting. Besides being a medium of artistic expression, this activity also carried an important message about reducing plastic use. The painted tote bags could be taken home by participants and were expected to serve as a more eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags.
This message is directly linked to ocean conditions, where sea turtles often mistake plastic waste for jellyfish—their main food. Through this education, children were encouraged to understand that reducing plastic means helping ensure the survival of sea turtles.
At the peak of the sea turtle education program, Yayasan Penyu Indonesia presented a sea turtle storytelling session at the Maniamölö Village Hall, attended by more than 100 children. Through the storyline, children were introduced to the sea turtle’s life cycle, the threats they face, and the ways humans can contribute to their protection. Each participant also filled out an activity journal as a record of their learning throughout the program.
During the activities, volunteers from Yayasan Penyu Indonesia played an important role as facilitators. They not only accompanied the children but also built warm relationships with them, creating a relaxed and enjoyable learning atmosphere. Special thanks and appreciation to all volunteers, Desti Elmeidart Fau, Marselina Sianturi, Amos Duha, and Michael Telaumbanua for dedicating their time, energy, and spirit to support all the activities.
The participation of Yayasan Penyu Indonesia in the Maniamölö Festival 2025 was not only about delivering sea turtle conservation messages, but also about showing that environmental education can begin in community spaces, carried out in simple yet effective ways. When children learn through play, and when values of nature conservation grow from daily interactions, seeds of change can be planted from an early age.
This festival proves that cultural preservation and environmental conservation can go hand in hand. Both can support and strengthen each other through active community participation and engagement. Amid the joyful atmosphere of Maniamölö Fest, the stories of sea turtles and efforts to protect them left a deep impression on many children—perhaps even marking the beginning of a new environmentally conscious generation from South Nias.
