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HISTORY OF TRACK RACING IN KUANTAN SINGINGI  

      Pacu jalur is a race rowing on the river using a long boat made of tree wood. The length of this boat 

can reach 25 to 40 meters and the width of the middle part is approximately 1.3 m to 1.5 m, in the
language of the local population, the word Jalur means Boat. Every year, around
August 23-26, the Pacu Path Festival is held as a traditional cultural event of
the Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau in conjunction with the celebration of the
Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day.

               Pathways are usually carried out in the Batang Kuantan River. This is not separated from long historical records, the Batang Kuantan River, which is located between the Upper Kuantan District in the upstream and Cerenti District in the downstream, has been used as a shipping lane since the beginning of the 17th century. And, in this river also the race track was first carried out. Meanwhile, the race track shape follows the flow of the Batang Kuantan River, with a track length of about 1 km marked by six piles.

               The History of Pacing The track begins in the 17th century, where the lane is the main means of transportation of villagers in Rantau Kuantan, namely the area along the Kuantan River which is located between the Hulu Kuantan Sub-District in the upstream to Cerenti Sub-District of Cerenti in the downstream. At that time, land transportation had not yet developed. As a result, the route is really used as an important transportation for villagers, mainly used as a transportation vehicle for crops, such as bananas and sugar cane, and serves to transport about 40-60 people. Then came the paths that were given beautiful carvings, such as the head carving of a snake, crocodile, or tiger, both on the hull and its selembayung, coupled with equipment such as umbrellas, ropes, shawls, middle poles (gulang) and lambai -dambai (where the helmsman stands).

               This change also marked the development of the function of the line to be not only a means of transportation, but also showed social identity. Because, only the lord of the region, the aristocrats, and the grandparents alone drove the ornate pathway. Only 100 years later, residents saw another side that made the lane more interesting, namely by holding a speed race between lanes, which is known today as Pacu Path.

               Initially, the race track was held in villages along the Kuantan River to commemorate the Islamic holiday. However, along with the times, finally Pacu Path was held to commemorate the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore Pacu Path was held around August. Can be described on the day of the Pacu Track, the city of the Path is like a sea of ​​people. Traffic jams occur everywhere, and the people in the area will be seen again, they will return just to watch this event. Usually the lane that follows the race can reach more than 100. According to the local people the lane is a 'big boat' made of round logs without connection with a capacity of 45-60 paddlers (runways).

               During the Dutch colonial period, a track was held to enliven traditional celebrations, festivity and to commemorate the birthday of the Dutch queen wihelmina which fell on August 31. Track activity in the Dutch era began on the 31st August to 1 or 2 September. Celebration of the race track is 2-3 days, depending on the number of lanes that run.