Indonesian Contingent Showcases Batak Culture at Asian Games Opening Ceremony

The Indonesian contingent will bring a touch of Batak culture to the opening ceremony of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Saturday, September 19. The Gorga motif was chosen as the main element of the Red and White defile clothing. Indonesian designer Ghea Panggabean said the concept of the fashion dress was to raise the richness of the Nusantara culture. In addition to Gorga from Batak, the design also uses Limar elements. "With a heritage background, because we have to be proud of the strength of Indonesian culture. So I chose Gorga from Batak, and also Limar," said Ghea in Nagoya, Japan, quoted from Antara, Saturday, September 19. Gorga is a typical Batak ornament that is widely used in carvings or paintings of traditional houses. This motif generally appears with a combination of red and black colors. Ghea said the selection of Gorga was not because of his background, who also has Batak ancestry. He sees the philosophy of the motif in line with the spirit of Indonesian athletes competing in the Asian Games. "The Gorga from the Batak house carving symbolizes strength and also protection against danger, and also has luck. Hopefully by wearing this motif, there is a symbol of hope to achieve many victories," he said. In the design process, Ghea did not work alone. Didit Hediprasetyo was also involved in the design of the Indonesian contingent's defile and jersey for the largest sports festival in Asia. Ghea said the process of designing and determining the concept of the clothing took about three months. The work not only includes the athletes' clothes, but also accessories for the Indonesian entourage during the opening parade. "Yes, it took three months to make the clothes and accessories. In addition to the athletes' shirts, in the parade defile I also designed clothes such as Gorga shirts, Gorga kebaya, to Gorga ties that will be worn by CdM and others," said Ghea. With this concept, the Indonesian contingent not only carries the Red and White identity in the opening defile, but also displays one of the traditional patterns of the Nusantara on the stage of the 2026 Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya.