A Culinary Journey Across Cultures: From Manado to Singapore with WikiMaknyus
The intersection of food, culture, and technology took center stage in January 2026 with the WikiMaknyus initiative, a project focused on documenting culinary diversity through Wikimedia projects. Beginning in Manado, Indonesia, and extending to Singapore, the effort highlighted the power of collaborative knowledge creation and the unifying force of food.
The project, initiated by Pitchrigi, NikolasKHF, Hzu Hzu, and Sofi Solihah, and supported by the Rapid Fund, unfolded in two distinct phases. The initial phase, centered in Manado, involved a team from the Jakarta Wikimedia Community working alongside local contributors. For the project lead, this experience was more than just achieving editing targets; it was a deep dive into the practical realities of Indonesia’s diversity. Coming from the fast-paced environment of Jakarta, the collaborative spirit and warmth of the Manado contributors were a powerful reminder of the nation’s motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, unity in diversity.
The enthusiasm in Manado was immediately apparent, bolstered by the support of TorangEdit. Sessions focused on Wiktionary and Lingua Libre were lively, with participants quickly grasping the technical aspects while engaging in discussions about vocabulary, pronunciation, and the nuances of the Manado dialect. Contribution goals were surpassed, particularly in the creation of new entries and pronunciation recordings, a testament to the strong spirit of gotong royong – mutual assistance.
WikiNgamprog: Bridging Jakarta and Manado
Complementing the Manado work was WikiNgamprog, a collaborative editing activity connecting contributors from Jakarta and Manado. This initiative focused on developing content for Betawi Wikipedia and the Manado Malay Wikipedia Incubator. For Manado, this marked a significant step, as a formal Wikimedia community is still in its early stages of development. Many participants experienced cross-regional collaboration for the first time, navigating differences in habits and time zones.
Held online, WikiNgamprog fostered a shared space where contributors from Jakarta created articles about Manado for the Betawi Wikipedia, while those in Manado wrote about the Greater Jakarta area in the Manado language for the Incubator. The process was dynamic, with conversations and edits unfolding as if participants were gathered around the same table. Differences in background became strengths, enriching the collective knowledge base of Indonesian cuisine.
The journey extended beyond documentation, encompassing contributions to Indonesian Wikivoyage. Local knowledge was used to develop entries for destinations in North Sulawesi, including Danau Cinta Makalehi, Air Terjun Tunan, Taman Wisata Alam Batu Angus, Cagar Alam Tangkoko, Taman Laut Bunaken, and Pantai Pulisan. This wasn’t simply about describing places; it was about sharing a sense of belonging and connection to the landscapes of North Sulawesi, informed by firsthand experience and photographs uploaded to Wikimedia Commons.
A particularly memorable moment occurred just before departure from Manado. The owner of the restaurant hosting the activities inquired about the project, expressing appreciation for the initiative and hoping for its continued growth. For him, WikiMaknyus represented a valuable space for knowledge sharing, something he wished to see more of in Manado.
The second day of activities began later in the morning, a gesture of respect for participants attending morning church services. This adjustment underscored the importance of tolerance and adaptation in collaborative work. On this day, contributions focused on Wikibooks and Indonesian Wikipedia, with participants writing food recipes and developing encyclopedic articles. The achievements of the day exceeded initial expectations.
From Manado’s Spice to Singapore’s Flavors
The WikiMaknyus journey continued in Singapore, documenting dishes such as Singaporean Laksa, Sirap Bandung, Chendol, Prata Bread, and Kaya Toast. This cross-border movement felt natural, reflecting the interconnectedness of culinary traditions across Southeast Asia, where ingredients, flavors, and stories travel beyond geographical boundaries.
The experience in Manado also prompted a deeper understanding of the local cuisine. Manadonese cuisine is characterized by its spiciness, a result of the region’s geographical conditions and the abundance of chili peppers. The Minahasan community, largely concentrated in Manado, lives in a region with high chili pepper production, making it a natural and integral part of daily life and cuisine.
WikiMaknyus Manado evolved into a journey that demonstrated how open knowledge grows from encounters with places and people, and through the celebration of diversity. From Manado to Singapore, the project reinforced the idea that diversity isn’t about separation, but about building bridges and working together to achieve the Wikimedia mission of free knowledge.
