Visiting Lombok Island - Guidance Before Visiting Lombok Island

Village Tells Tale Of A Mighty Royal Past

2012-10-25T10:00:00.000+08:00

The Old Kingdom of Pejanggik was one of the most powerful and influential empires in all of Lombok’s recorded history.

The roots and reign of the kingdom can be traced through a visit to the Central Lombok village of Pejanggik, not far from Lombok’s international airport.

The village consists of around 900 households. It is relatively arid and since most households subsist on farming, it is poor. But the village is intrinsically linked to Lombok’s colourful and sometimes violent past.

The powerful Pejanggik Kingdom once extended from the east coast to the west coast, across the centre of Lombok, and co-existed with the better known Kingdom of Selaparang in the island’s east.

“Discussing the history of Lombok without reference to Pejanggik village is a big mistake,” said village chief Mustamin.

Evidence of the regal heritage of the village is found at the Seriwa complex of graves which is believed to include the tomb of the last King of Pejanggik. “Seriwa” is a term derived from the Sasak (ethnic Lombok) word “serio’”, which means to observe or see.

The King’s tomb, occupying an elevated position in a gated complex of tombs beyond a public cemetery, has existed for hundreds of years and has been declared a cultural heritage site. The complex is surrounded by very old frangipani trees.

The graveyard is in the centre of Pejanggik village, on the road between Praya in Central Lombok and Keruak in East Lombok.

“There are many versions of Pejanggik history,” said Mustamin. “But we believe that this is where the King was last viewed.” The King’s tomb is the only one that is not walled and the only one dressed with white fabric.

The sacred tomb attracts pilgrims from throughout Lombok and beyond, especially on Muslim holy days such as Eid al-Fitri (Idul Fitri in Indonesia).

As well as the royal tomb, Pejanggik village has the Toro watercourse where the King is believed to have hidden royal heirlooms. Some villagers claim to have antiques such as fabrics and home furnishings from the days of the empire.

When the waterway dries up, it attracts believers who use it as a venue for rituals.

According to historical literature, the Pejanggik Kingdom stemmed from the arrival of Deneq Putra Mas Pengendengan Segara Katon and his son, Deneq Mas Komala Sempopo, in the Rambitan area of Central Lombok. From 1648, the kingdom began to expand.

Relations between Pejanggik and the East Lombok Kingdom of Selaparang were good until political estrangement developed under its ninth king when relations soured at the hands of Pejanggik powerbroker Arya Banjar Getas.

Arya Banjar Getas clashed with the King’s son, Meraja Kusuma, and sought support from the Balinese Kingdom of Karangasem in a war that resulted in the fall of Pejanggik.

The King of Pejanggik was captured and exiled to Karangasem where he later died. Many Pejanggik nobles fled to Sumbawa.

The alliance of King Anak Agung Karangasem and Arya Banjar Getas systematically battered the Lombok kingdoms, one by one, conquering Parwa, Sokong, Langko and Bayan.

Many of the Lombok kingdoms surrendered without resistance and the entire island was conquered in 1740.

Pejanggik village commemorates its heritage with the annual Perat Timbung tradition – a war ritual involving timbung, a Lombok snack made of glutinous long rice. The ritual symbolises society’s obedience to the old kings.

Common opinion is that the tradition stemmed from both internal turmoil within the Pejanggik Kingdom and tension with Selaparang.

At the time, the king’s counsellors advised him to gather his people in a mutual giving of timbung in order to promote unity and friendship.

Today, the annual Perang Timbung ritual is staged along with Sasak cultural exhibitions and parades including traditional percussion music. Unlike the similar Lombok tradition of Perang Topat (Rice Cake War), Perang Timbung is a “war” between men and women.

The village’s history and colourful re-enactments of historical events have attracted international interest. “Tourists are coming to our village to uncover the heritage of the Pejanggik Kingdom,” said village youth leader Ilham.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com/

Lombok Hums With Gili Nanggu Pact For Growth

2012-10-24T14:59:00.001+08:00

Lombok has been abuzz with talk and speculation about the proposed “sale” of the beautiful little island of Gili Nanggu off West Lombok’s Sekotong coast.

The hullabaloo has contrasted starkly with Gili Nanggu’s overriding sense of peace and serenity as people have wondered if investment will turn the little island into the flagship attraction to focus tourist attention on scenic Sekotong.

Local government has entered into a 30-year renewable agreement which gives an investment company, PT Istana Cempaka Raya, rights to manage and develop the 14 hectare island paradise.

Nanggu is one of 23 idyllic little islands in West Lombok’s Sekotong area. The largest island is Gede and the smallest and perhaps most stunning is Sepatang. The Sekotong islands are a magnet for tourists, especially foreigners, seeking solitude, serenity and exotic unspoiled nature.

The smiling operators of about 30 local outrigger-style boats wait at Tawun on the Sekotong coast to welcome visitors and whisk them away to paradise on better known islands such as Nanggu, which is closest to the coast, Tangkong and Sudak.

Tawun is about a 60-minute drive from Mataram and while boats can be taken from Lembar Harbour, which is closer to Mataram and the tourist hub of Senggigi than Tawun, time at sea is much longer.

The Tawun boatmen charge Rp200,000 to take six passengers on the 15-minute crossing to the islands. The fee includes life insurance, though sea conditions in the sheltered coastal waters are invariably calm.

A white sand beach extends either side of the timber pier on Gili Nanggu and the view across sparkling ocean to the mainland shows the rolling green hills of Sekotong.

Most visitors make the day trip from either Bali or Senggigi, further north on the West Lombok coast.

Tourist guide Yan, 45, who had escorted 10 Senggigi-based international visitors to Gili Nanggu, suggested Nanggu as an ideal alternative for those wanting to escape the much more crowded atmosphere of popular Gili Trawangan, one of the world-renown Three Gilis in north-west Lombok.

“If it’s crowded on Gili Trawangan then many guests feel far more comfortable here because Nanggu is quiet and beautiful,” he said.

Gili Nanggu has two equally exotic little neighbour islands. Gili Sudak covers about 30 hectares, is rimmed with heavenly beaches and has a restaurant. Uninhabited Gili Kedis is widely known as Honeymoon Island or the Romantic Island.

Nanggu and its neighbours are perfect for diving, snorkelling, exploring beaches and reefs and getting away from crowds and back to nature.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Enjoying Seger Beach

2012-05-27T08:30:00.000+08:00

When you are visiting Kuta Beach, make sure to allocate your time to go to Seger Beach. The beach is located only about 2km from the East of Kuta Beach. Since the location is near with Kuta, make sure to take a visit it also. This beach is in the same coastline with Kuta Beach. Not only serve us a great beach view, but also the stunning underwater life. Just like in other beaches, the common activities that you can do in Seger Beach are swimming, surfing, sunbathing and definitely watching the sunset.

If you love snorkeling or swimming, then Seger Beach is an ideal place. Each part of the beach is perfect for the calm water sport, there is one favorite part of the beach for snorkeling. You can also find the best place for surfing with excellent and quite challenging wave intensity, just like the waves we can find in Kuta Beach. It is said that many tourists prefer to have snorkeling and Lombok surfing in Seger Beach than Kuta Beach due to the wave and view.

Finding Seger Beach is an easy thing, the route is simple and the location is not hidden. You just need to go about 200 meters to the East and follow the sign when you have reached the first intersection. When you hit the intersection, turn left and about 1km from there, you will find Seger Beach. The easiest way to reach Seger Beach is by using a motorcycle service from Kuta Beach to Seger Beach by paying about IDR 10.000 to IDR 20.000.

On certain months, usually February to March, you can watch Bau Nyale ceremony or catching the sea worm in Kuta Beach and Seger Beach. This ceremony done annualy and it is signed with the appearance of sea worm or nyale, which is believed to be the incarnation of Princess Mandalika. Not only can you watch and catch Nyale, but also taste some foods from Nyale. Some local Lombok people said that Nyale is tasty. Therefore, don’t ever miss this chance because Nyale can only be found in Lombok island.

source:www.lombokindonesia.org

Visiting Malimbu Hill, Best Place to Watch Sunset

2012-05-26T08:00:00.000+08:00

There are plenty of beautiful places you can visit if you want to watch the beauty of sunset in Lombok. However, Malimbu Hill should be your major consideration because the hill will give you a special view that you cannot find in other places. It can be said as the best place to watch sunset. Malimbu Hill is located about 24 km from Mataram downtown or about 10 km from the north-side of Senggigi beach. The road to reach the area is quite challenging. If you are using a private car, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the area from Mataram.

What makes Malimbu Hill the best place to watch sunset when you’re in Lombok holidays? When the sky is clear, you can enjoy the sunset and at the same time, you can see Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, two of the three most popular Gili in Lombok Indonesia. It is also possible to see Mount Agung at Bali island from distance. It is like combining sunset in Lombok with some of the most beautiful places on earth.

Malimbu Hill is often made as a rendezvous place for some community like biking community because nothing worth than the view from Malimbu Hill after the challenging biking. For the motorcycle riders, the place can be the best resting spot before they continue their riding. You can choose two spots to watch sunset from Malimbu Hill: from the west or east side of the street. On the east side, you can find a rest area that stretches about 150meter with about 2 meters wide leveled sidewalk. There, you will see the sunset from the 25 meter cliff, but you don’t have to worry about your safety because you are protected by a strong guard rail. The cliff is filled with shrubs and you can see some monkeys that are looking for a small treat from the visitors. The south-side area is used for a parking lot, while the center to the North is used to watch the sunset.

You can also watch the sunset from the east-side or Malimbu Hill. There is a wasteland about 6 meters higher from the road. There is also about 6 x 4 meter resting area. To reach the place, you have to climb a cemented stairs that is usually used as a parking lot. Many foods and souvenirs sellers are ready in those areas since 4pm, so you can enjoy some traditional snacks or coconut before the sunset comes. Some souvenirs made from pearls are also available. You can also take a picture with the background you want like Malimbu Beach or the hill, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or the sunset.

Malimbu Hill is a perfect place to end your Lombok adventure in a day. After you visit some places near Malimbu Hill like Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, watching the sun going down on Malimbu Hill is the perfect climax. You will pass this hill if you want to visit those three places from Mataram anyway, so you just need to adjust the time, so you can get there by 4 or 5 PM. Not only can you watch the beautiful sunset from Malimbu Hills, but also Serumbu Hills about 8 km to Mataram.

Source:http://www.lombokindonesia.org

Visiting Benang Kelambu Waterfall

2012-05-24T07:30:00.000+08:00

If you want to feel amazed by the nature of Lombok island, then you should visit Benang Kelambu Waterfall. This waterfall might be the best waterfall in Indonesia and maybe in the whole world. There are so many waterfalls in Lombok, like one on the feet of Mount Rinjani. However, if you want to find a spectacular waterfall, then Benang Kelambu Waterfall is the best choice.

There are only two ways to play in the water and get wet: on the beach and waterfall. Lombok Indonesia serves them all in the most spectacular way. If you want enjoy soothing fresh water, then you are recommended to go to a waterfall. There are some waterfalls in Lombok and the most popular are Benang Kelambu Waterfall and one located on the feet of Gunung Agung. The Benang Kelambu Waterfall is located in Central island of Lombok.

It is situated about 32 km from Mataram or about 1 hour with vehicle. From Mataram, you should go to Narmada City, Sedau, then you should head to east until you find Pancor Dau intersection. Turn to northeast until you find Teratak market intersection and go to the north. Make sure to ask the local people if you feel clueless because there is only one sign to reach the waterfall, or for your safety, you can ask a travel guide to guide you there.

You only need to pay about IDR 5,000 to enter the Benang Kelambu Waterfall location. On the gate, you will be welcomed with plants and peaceful atmosphere. The road is paved, so it is very comfortable and you can find some stalls on the sides of the road. You can buy small towels, drinks, foods, snacks, or even kaputrice.

Make sure to bring water with you because you will walk about 500 meters on a mountainous land contour island of Lombok. You will hear waterfall sound on your way to Benang Kelambu Waterfall, but it is not Benang Kelambu Waterfall, but Benang Setokel waterfall. Make sure to visit the waterfall. The name Benang Setokel means a bundle of thread. This waterfall is divided into two parts and each of them is as high as 20 meters. The water is so clean and fresh, so you can jump on it. The water comes from a river upstream on Mount Rinjani. You can swim under the waterfall because there is a huge pond under the waterfall. The water flows to the river on lower level. The clean and clear water allows you to see the base of the pond. If you have your children with you, make sure to take them to a river that is located about 50 meters from the waterfall. This river part is shallow and has calm water, so it is perfect for children. They can play and swim on the river.

After visiting Benang Setokel waterfall, you can continue your trip to Benang Kelambu Waterfall in Lombok by walking about 1 km. You will find so many plants that are managed by the local people. You can see various plants there like banana trees, coffee, jackfruit and many others. The path is located in the middle of forest, so the contour can be quite challenging. If you have not bought beverages and snacks, you can buy one on the entrance of Benang Kelambu Waterfall. About 100 meters before the waterfall, you have to climb quite a steep stairway. You can find water stream through one side of the stairway.

Once you reach Benang Kelambu Waterfall, you will get mesmerized by the waterfall, Instead of flowing through stones, the waterfall is flowing through plants. The word “Kelambu” means curtain and the plants are framing the waterfall just like a window and curtain. There are six waterfall spots and two or them are stretching like a curtain. Tony, a guide on Benang Kelambu Waterfall said that the water flows through Benang Kelambu Waterfall and Setokel waterfall does not pass any river. Since the water flows directly from the fountain, the water is very clean, fresh and can be drunk directly.

The cliffs of Benang Kelambu Waterfall are flown by fountain, so no wonder if plants are growing almost anywhere makes walls from plants. Benang Kelambu Waterfall can be divided into two parts. The first part is similar to Benang Setokel waterfall and the second part is a group of four waterfalls. The last part is the major attraction. The waterfall has 2-3 levels. The first waterfall level is as high as 30 meters which water comes right from the fountain. The second level of waterfall is as high as 10 meters which water flown from the first waterfall level. There are some third level waterfalls that are not as high as 5 meters.

Unlike Benang Setokel waterfall, Benang Kelambu Waterfall does not have a pond, so you cannot swim on any pond. However, the best thing about Benang Kelambu Waterfall in Lombok is the freshness of the water because it is fresh from the spring. On the front part of the Benang Kelambu Waterfall, there are some large and small stones where you can enjoy the view of the waterfall.

The Beauty Of Selong Belanak Beach

2012-05-23T14:41:00.000+08:00

When you are talking about beach, then Lombok is serving the same beauty as Bali. Many tourists find Lombok more interesting because each of the beaches that can be found in Lombok tourism is having its own character and uniqueness. One of them is Selong Belanak Beach, it is quite a beautiful long beach with white sand.

Selong Belanak Beach can be said as one of the most prestigious beaches on Lombok tourism, especially when we are talking about the beauty and cleanliness of the beach. One of the best things about this beach is the shape of the shore that looks like a crescent. The beach is having a curvy shape with hills on each point. This beach is the part of Selong Belanak Bay that faces Indian Ocean. The length of the coastline is not less than 1 km. About a quarter part of the south side of the beach is used by local people as village. There are about 40 families who work as fishermen there. Of course, the area is not recommended for swimming because there are so many fishing boats rest there. If you want to do water sport, it is recommended to do the activities from the central to the north side of the beach. The area is free from local people’s activities. Local and international tourists are able to use the area for beach and water activities. Selong Belanak Beach has the glittering soft white sand and sloping contour. The wave is not so high and the water is perfectly clean.

With such beach condition, you are able to do various activities. You can just relax on the white sand, exploring the beach, sunbathing, swimming and many others. You can also go fishing by renting a small fishing boat from the local fishermen or if you are interested in the local people’s life, you can simply observe they way they live like how the children taking up water for the every day need, fishermen fixing their boats, the fishermen’s wives making sate from their husbands’ catch and many others.

Even though this beach is so popular, but when we compare it to other beaches, the beach is relatively tranquil, you will only find some tourists spending their time on the beach. The beach will be so crowded during the holiday season. Therefore, if you are looking for a beach that allows you to relax and enjoy silence, this beach is highly recommended.

This beach is not crowded, but we don’t have to worry about the facilities because we can find so manywarung near the fishermen’s village. You can also find fish sate there. If you want to stay overnight, you can rent a villa in the area.

Selong Belanak Beach is located abut 49 km from Mataram City. With car or motorcycle, you can reach the beach in 1.5 hour. From Mataram, you just need to take the route to Lombok International Airport. If you have reached Jami’ Penunjak Mosque, you should turn to the north until you find the beach. When you are going to reach the area, you will find a magnificent view of the beach from the top. You will find a large bay with blue crystallized ocean framed by curved white sand.

The access to this beach is quite smooth even though you have to up and down in the last 15 km. Along the way to the beach, you will find so many tobacco farms or horticulture plants. Once you hit the parking lot, you will find some small cottages with traditional style left untreated. Walk about 50 m from the parking lot and you will be served with a beautiful clean beach.

source:http://www.lombokindonesia.org

Hindu Parade of Giants Unifies a City

2012-04-19T08:00:00.000+08:00

Lombok’s history of religious tolerance and cultural diversity was exemplified by the massive Ogoh-ogoh parade in Mataram on the eve of the Balinese Hindu new year celebration of Nyepi, known as Silent Day.

People from Lombok’s indigenous Sasak community, which is Muslim, joined representatives of the island’s Chinese and other ethnic populations to support and take part in the Hindu parade of giant hand-made effigies of ogres.

The huge, often gruesome effigies are sculpted to represent the Balinese Hindu concept of Bhuta Kala which addresses the immeasurable characteristics of universal strength and time.

On predominantly Hindu Bali, the effigies are paraded on the eve of Nyepi, which this year was on 23 March, and then destroyed before the island plunges itself into silence and darkness for 24 hours in an effort to convince any surviving evil spirits that no one is at home on Bali.

The 24 hours of Hindu fasting, reflection and meditation is held to purify the soul and body and persuade evil influences to leave Bali in peace for the coming year.

While Ogoh-ogoh in Bali remains an exclusively Hindu ritual, in which youth participation is encouraged by official competitions among villages to create the best effigy, in the Lombok capital of Mataram all Hindu communities and others participate in one Ogoh-ogoh parade.

Muslim Sasaks and Chinese of various religions contribute effigies to the procession and assist with organisation and management of the parade which has become an official annual event of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province.

“Ogoh-ogoh this year was very special and the involvement of so many elements of society epitomised our strong culture of religious tolerance,” said 2012 Ogoh-ogoh Mataram chairman Nyoman Artha Kusuma.

In Bali, individual Hindu communities use Ogoh-ogoh to enact stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata whose legends feature creatures such as dragons, spiders and crabs.

In Mataram, people’s creative spirit has seen the creation of effigies of fantastic alien creatures and even such modern-day phenomena as the Harley-Davidson motorbike.

Mataram’s Hindus conduct Ogoh-ogoh as a means of warding off natural disaster such as cyclones, landslides and weather conditions that result in reduced crop yields. Through Ogoh-ogoh they seek God’s blessing to protect their environment from natural misfortune.

“We ask that winds which have the strength to sweep away the homes of fishermen are turned into breezes that carry them to good fishing grounds, and that winds with the power to uproot trees become pleasant breezes that cool the residents of the city,” said Artha Kusuma.

The 2012 Mataram Ogoh-ogoh parade theme of Uniting for Equality and Tolerance of Differences allowed those taking part to embrace and express the Indonesian national objective of Unity through Diversity.

Traditional Balinese music was followed by a typical Sasak beleq (drum) presentation and other ethnic music styles such as cilokak, tawak-tawak and ale-ale.

Officially in its seventh year, Ogoh-ogoh in Mataram this year attracted thousands of spectators and a group of foreigners who joined the parade bearing an effigy of their own.

In predominantly Hindu Bali, activity is severely curtailed in the 24 hours of Nyepi following Ogoh-ogoh. Transport is halted and people stay within their homes to meditate without the use of electricity and machinery. The island is dark and quiet.

On Lombok, Hindu communities voluntarily observe the seclusion of Nyepi at their own discretion, but the island is otherwise open for business.

As a result more and more tourists from Bali as well as non-Hindu residents of the island travel to Lombok, especially to the north-western islands of Trawangan, Meno and Air and to the Senggigi tourist strip, for the Nyepi break.

The annual Nyepi influx from Bali has become an important tourism boon for Lombok. Some resorts offer special Nyepi packages and most report increased occupancy.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Fighting with Fire Fosters Forgiveness

2012-04-18T09:00:00.000+08:00

For nearly 200 years, two Hindu communities in Mataram have conducted the lively ritual of Perang Api, or fire war, on the eve of the Balinese Hindu celebration of new year, known as Nyepi or Silent Day.

While Lombok people of many faiths come together on the eve of Nyepi for the colourful Ogoh-ogoh street parade of giant evil effigies, Ogoh-ogoh is a tradition that originates from Bali. The unique tradition of Perang Api belongs to Lombok.

The fire war begins at sunset when hundreds of young men from the two “hostile” communities of Negara Sakah and Sweta, all clutching tied bundles of dried coconut palm leaves, face off against each other in readiness for war.

Once the referee declares war, the dried bundles which have been doused in kerosene are lit and become weapons used to target the bodies of the enemy. Serious burns may result.

Village elders say Perang Api dates back to 1838 when Mataram was ruled by Balinese kings from Karang Asem just across the Lombok Strait.

In the early days Perang Api left the battleground strewn with burned corpses. Today, the two communities believe they are haunted by the smell of burning flesh which they believe is the work of an evil spirit that wants to disrupt their tranquillity.

Hindus in the two communities believe the fire war tradition will protect them from mischief-making and disruptive spirits.

Historically, Perang Api was conducted to expel evil in times of disease which brought death. To eliminate the causes of an epidemic, and deny access to other bad influences, flaming torches were held in all corners of an afflicted area while people chanted “burn.”

“Today Perang Api is a means of self-purification through the medium of fire on the eve of Nyepi,” said Ketut Deswanto of Negara Sakah. Nyepi this year fell on 23 March.

The length of today’s Perang Api ritual is strictly controlled by community leaders to minimise injury. The fact that many participants suffer burns does not detract from the spirit of the event which ends with opposing fighters embracing each other in forgiveness.

Everyone looks happy and there is no intention for revenge.

“Although our bodies may be hurt, we feel very happy,” said Dewa. “I participate in the Perang Api tradition nearly every year.”

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Simple Park Reveals Rich Sasak History

2012-04-17T08:30:00.000+08:00

A Simple cultural park in Central Lombok regency houses dozens of books written by famous Sasak cultural specialist and prolific author Lalu Gede Suparman (1945-2004).

Gede Suparman’s writings, of cultural and historical significance to the indigenous Sasak people of Lombok, include stories from the ancient kingdoms of the island, ever-popular children’s tales and a Sasak-Indonesian dictionary.

All was quiet when we arrived at the park in Jelantik village in the Jonggat district, only two kilometres from Praya, the regency capital.

Sometimes known as Jingga Park, the location was formerly the office of the Jonggat community head who was Gede Suparman’s father, Lalu Wira Jingga.

For most Sasak people, the garden represents a place in which a prominent figure wrestled with world culture and art. It was where Gede Suparman devoted a large part of his life to preserving Sasak tradition.

The author’s family keeps more than 50 of his original works, some handwritten and many of them already printed, and a small typewriter. The originals are bound in the customary manner and many are in quite shabby condition as they have not been well protected.

His significant, high-quality works also include a complete history of Lombok and a complete history of the kingdoms of East Lombok.

“I have been the guardian of these books since before the author’s death,” said Palmaeni Zohara, the third child of Gede Suparman. Palmaeni said her father had asked her to reproduce his hand-written works by typewriter.

The author’s complete histories are the result of him tracking down ancient writings on papyrus leaf. His history of Lombok dates back to the island’s oldest kingdom, of Laeq. In another of his works, the history of Suwung, he chronicles the establishment and rule of the Suwung Kingdom by Betara Indera until its decline which led to the rise of the Kingdom of Lombok.

The Sasak Kingdom of Lombok reigned through the 9th to 11th centuries when it was conquered by Balinese expansionists. Other Lombok Kingdoms chronicled by Gede Suparman include Pejanggik, Langko, Bayan, Sokong Samarkaton and Selaparang.

The Selaparang Kingdom ruled for two separate periods: In the Hindu and pre-Islamic period from the 13th century until the arrival of the Kingdom of Majapahit in 1357; and in the Islamic period that emerged in the 16th century and ended around 1740 after a joint conquest by forces from Bali’s Kingdom of Karang Asem and Banjar Getas.

Gede Suparman also chronicles a history – written by Raden Barak, of Kuripan village – of the political administration of the East Lombok village of Sakra.

It is recorded that young and headstrong ruler Raden Surya Jaya, ignoring the advice and experience of his elders and religious leaders, dragged Sakra village into a complex and ultimately fatal situation in which it suffered defeat.

The long and complicated story eventually results in a massive uprising by the Sasak people.

Oral story-telling is still the dominant means by which Sasak people pass down their history and culture. The work of Gede Suparman is therefore highly important o Sasak public record.

Many academics have examined his writings and combined them with oral stories, said daughter Palmaeni. “Researchers routinely come from the University of Gajah Mada in Yogyakarta and we’ve also had students from Kyoto in Japan,” he said.

Gede Suparman had three wives and several children. Born in 1945 to Lalu Wira Jingga and Rumisah, he started elementary school in 1957 and went on to train as a teacher. He studied law at Mataram University from 1973 and in 1978 studied bagong art in Jogjakarta.

After retiring as a teacher, he focused on writing. His family says he was also talented at painting, sculpture and dance. He coached the traditional Lombok dance style of Rudat, which is a historical presentation involving dancers dressed in the colourful costumes of soldiers with Arabic influences such as the fez.

Gede Suparman’s family has agreed to establish a foundation in his memory and to preserve his efforts to perpetuate Sasak culture. In the past, cultural and educational practitioners conducted a seminar to review his works.

Sasak cultural specialist Lalu Jalaluddin says Sasak people are born to a destiny which is dictated by Sasak wisdom. They are born into a life which is simple and uncomplicated but principled and responsible, he said.

In the social context, Sasaks should help build a spirit of unity and mutual assistance, and the Sasak community should be able to transmit its wisdom to other peoples.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Bright Sasak Welcome for Cruising Tourists

2012-04-16T18:58:00.000+08:00

Young and adult dancers from Lombok’s indigenous Sasak community donned colourful traditional costumes to welcome more the 130 visitors from a luxury cruise ship.

Cruise ships from around the world are calling at Lombok’s Lembar harbour so their passengers can experience some of West Nusa Tenggara’s (NTB’s) exotic scenery and cultural wealth.

Port authority PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III said that French-flagged luxury cruiser L’Austral, which anchored at Lembar on 6 April, was one of 22 cruise liners scheduled to visit the West Lombok port in 2012.

The 142-metre vessel has a capacity for 264 passengers. After it anchored at Lembar at 7am, 132 visitors disembarked to participate in two organised tours of the Lombok mainland.

Some chose an introduction to Lombok’s rich history by visiting significant sites such as the Mandalika traditional market, the temples and gardens at Lingsar and Narmada parks, and the art market at Sayang-Sayang.

Others took advantage of Senggigi beach to enjoy sunbathing, snorkelling and surfing before joining their fellow passengers for lunch at the Senggigi Beach Hotel.

The tours and lunch were organised by Express Reservation Service (ERS) Tours and Travel whose manager, Halis, said it was the first time visitors from the French-flagged vessel had disembarked at Lombok.

L’Austral had called at Lembar before, but only between stopovers at Benoa in Bali and Probolinggo in East Java, where passengers were to visit Mount Bromo, he said.

The challenge for Halis was to arrange worthwhile and convenient activities while staying close to the harbour because of the visitors’ tight schedule.

“The passengers were due back on board at 2pm as L’Austral was due to sail at 3pm, so we could not take them far from the harbour,” he said.

“However, through six French-speaking tour guides and two English speakers, we were able to let the visitors know that there are many other tourist destinations and activities on both Lombok and Sumbawa.”

Halis said while the French tourism market was promising for NTB, the number of French-speaking guides in the province was limited and people would need to be recruited from elsewhere for activities needing more than six guides.

The passengers were welcomed to Lombok with traditional performances of the music and dance of the indigenous Sasak people of the island. “We wanted to create an impression of the characteristics of Sasak culture and community,” said Halis.

L’Austral visited Lombok on a 12-night cruise from Darwin in Australia to Singapore.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Getting Together for the Rituals of Rice

2012-04-16T18:43:00.001+08:00

In the face of pressure to adopt agricultural technology to improve the efficiency of rice production, many Lombok farmers adhere to traditional practices and rituals which exemplify the spirit of togetherness.

Often rejecting time-efficient harvesting machines and other modern equipment, the farmers rigidly maintain their system of ngerampek which draws communities together to participate in all aspects of the rice growing process.

Many Lombok communities produce two rice crops a year and others, in the high-rainfall Mount Rinjani foothills, can produce three of four crops. Often one crop is being planted while a nearby padi is ready for harvest.

Across the island, though, from planting until harvest, rice farmers manage the process in a spirit of togetherness in which traditions determine work groups and their tasks.

In the south, ngayah is a local term which defines how traditional farmers produce their rice in partnership. A ngayah group of five to 10 men will spend about half a day taking rice seedlings from one padi and tying them into bundles of a particular size for spreading in another padi that has been ploughed for planting.

“At our place there is a ngayah group and traditional wages are paid, for example, to the person who binds the rice seedlings before they are planted,” said farmer Marham, 50, from Tempos village in West Lombok’s Gerung district.

Marham is a member of his community’s Ngayah group which is named Pade Angen.

Once the bundles of rice seedlings have been distributed, at certain distances apart, the Ngayah group’s work is done. The field is ready for planting which is the task of a group of around 10 women named ngelowong.

In the planting season, the ngelowong leader will usually call the group to work both in the morning and afternoon. The women form a line in the padi and start to plant neatly. It is skilled and intensive work that will end for the day only as the sun is setting.

At harvest time, the groups of men and women will work together. The men are responsible for separating the rice grains from the stalks by a method named ngerampek in which bundles of rice stalks are banged against a traditional wooden structure to release the grains.

One the rice stalks are discarded, the women are tasked with gathering those grains that have not been released through ngerampek. Through this system named mepes, the women usually gather up to one-and-a-half baskets of grains.

“Although there are modern machines for harvesting, this traditional system still survives as it allows the farmers of Lombok to practice togetherness,” said farmer Badrain of Narmada in West Lombok.

The spirit of togetherness is also expressed when Lombok farmers perform rituals of thanksgiving to God for fertile soil and abundant crops.

Lombok’s indigenous Sasak people, who are Muslim, traditionally express gratitude to God for agricultural success as well as other achievements in life.

In Panarukan village in West Lombok, Sasak people offer thanks to God by performing the roah gumi ritual after a harvest, when the community will eat and pray together, and by carrying offerings to all corners of their rice fields.

Lombok’s Hindu community will conduct the traditional Ngalapin ceremony as a means of reflection and of offering thanks to the Laksmi, the goddess of prosperity, for abundant yields. The Hindus also perform the ceremony to encourage better crops in the future.

The ngalapin ceremony is led by a priest, usually at the harvest site, and is accompanied by drumming on bamboo and other traditional instruments.

Geographical proximity and historical links between Lombok and neighbouring Bali, where most people are Hindu, have over time caused the development of many cultural similarities between the people of the two islands.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Craft Villages get a Spot on the Tourist Map

2012-02-26T08:00:00.000+08:00

Tour packages are being developed to take visitors to two Lombok handicraft villages newly designated as tourism attractions.

In Mas Mas village in Central Lombok and in the Batusela community of West Lombok’s Sesela village, traditional artisans are honing their skills in expectation of rising visitor numbers.

Mas Mas craftsmen produce ketak products, such as table mats and containers, from a tightly woven grass which grows naturally in nearby forests.

Batusela artisans are masters at producing cukli goods such as masks, chests and frames, all from carved timber ornately inlaid with designs made from shell.

Both ranges of products are popular with visitors to Lombok and are readily identifiable as traditional crafts of the eastern Indonesian island which is gaining an international reputation as an emerging tourist destination.

Lombok is part of the province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) which has been identified, along with neighbouring Bali and East Nusa Tenggara, as a corridor for tourism development in the MP3EI national masterplan to accelerate growth.

In response, NTB tourism groups have actively sought to identify additional NTB attractions to include in tourism packages.

A workshop attended by the province’s Regional Leadership Council (DPD), Indonesian Guides Association (HPI) and Indonesian Tours and Travel Association (ASITA) initially identified Port Tawun and Pekemit village, both in West Lombok, as well as Mas Mas and Batusela as potential attractions.

NTB’s HPI deputy chairman Ahmad Hairi said once the shortlist was narrowed to only Mas Mas and Batusela, workshop delegates visited the two communities to determine their potential.

Most people in Batusela, in the Gunungsari district, are skilled carpenters who have extended their craft of woodcarving into the art of cukli, said Ahmad. The village therefore is already attracting some visitors and villagers have adapted to accommodate them.

Through the West Lombok administration, an art market is being built in Batusela especially to accommodate tourists wanting to explore and buy cukli products.

A dedicated package tour would now be devised to take tourist to Batusela by traditional cidomo (pony cart) transport, said Ahmad. Drivers of the ornately decorated carts and ponies would be equipped with knowledge relevant to tourists.

“Tourists will be taken to see the wood carving and cukli processes in the village and may even have a turn at carving if they wish.”

The old village has the added attraction of being the home of relics from the days of the Kingdom of Lombok. They include a mosque, believed to be a gift from Balinese King of Lombok Anak Agung Gede Karang Asem, which is still used by Batusela villagers.

“In the mosque area is a spring that flows all the time, even when Lombok is suffering a prolonged drought,” said Ahmad. “Today people still bathe here and take the water for everyday use.”

The excursion to Mas Mas village, in Batukliang district, was led by HPI Central Lombok chairman Karyadi, who said the village was equal to other Lombok tourist destinations.

Set in the foothills of Mount Rinjani, the cool village offers scenic views of verdant rice paddies against a background of the majestic peak and virgin tropical forests.

Most Mas Mas villagers are farmers and some of them, as a sideline, take the special grass from the mountain forests to create the internationally-popular ketak products.

“Tourists who come here get to see the process of making ketak products and also enjoy watching the villagers at work,” said Karyadi. “They often join workers in the fields for refreshments.

“Not far from Mas-Mas, visitors will find many beautiful natural attractions including the Benang Setokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls and Aik Bukaq nature park.”

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Memutah harnesses Purity and Eternity

2012-02-25T07:30:00.000+08:00

The Memutah tradition of Lombok’s indigenous Sasak people, which involves a ceremonial procession and rituals to engender an abundant harvest of rice, is full of messages and meaning that impart local cultural wisdom.

Although this important rice ritual is almost extinct, it is still conducted in some rural communities including the Tanjung district of North Lombok.

On the day appointed for the first harvest of rice, the Memutah procession creates a magical atmosphere as the paddy owners (risata) and young local men make their way to the rice fields.

Six little girls, wearing the traditional Lombok-style Kebaya and carrying drinking water containers named ceret, appear and line up neatly behind the owners.

Before the rice is harvested, the owners of the fields must wash to purify themselves. Then one little girl will present to the owners a rombong, a rice container made from woven bamboo.

Within the rombong are duplicates of traditional rice-cutting tools formerly used by Sasak farmers.

The paddy owners must hold the rombong as if they are holding a baby. This signifies the paddy caring for and nurturing the rice.

After cleansing themselves in the manner of Muslims before prayer, the owners proceed towards the fields with traditional ceremonial swords, name kris, sheathed at their waistbands.

In this procession named Mengacep, the owners must not speak and they may not be addressed by anyone they encounter along the way. Instead, the farmers must concentrate and silently pray for an abundant harvest.

Ritual dictates that the first rice stalks to be harvested should be at the main point of entry of water into the rice fields. It was at this place that the first five rows of rice, named Mother of Rice (Inan Pare) and Father of Rice (Aman Pare), were planted.

Before harvesting the Mother of Rice and the Father of Rice, the owners sing a prayer in the ancient Javanese language of Bahasa Kawi. The rice is then cut with the traditional Sasak tools.

About 15 Mother of Rice stalks are cut and tied with a white thread to symbolise purity. About 15 Father of Rice stalks are cut and tied with a black thread to symbolise eternity.

The two tied parcels are placed in a rombong for storage in the rice barn. Before storage, the Mother of Rice and the Father of Rice usually are hung in the field in a berugak – a traditional Lombok open-sided structure with a thatch roof.

According to Datu Artadi, a community leader who has in the past led Tanjung Memutah processions, not one grain should be allowed to fall from the parcels of the Mother and Father of Rice.

“Even if one grain is dropped, then it must be collected to show respect for the newly-harvested rice,” he said, adding that the Mother of Rice and the Father of Rice may not be eaten either.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Brave Little Jockeys Born to Ride Rough

2012-02-24T09:00:00.000+08:00

To Witness the dexterity and bravery of Lombok’s little jockeys, mostly aged only five and six years, head to Praya in Central Lombok on any Sunday.

These tenacious little bareback horsemen take to the race track without the protection of helmets or boots to wave the Lombok flag in the face of the better known child jockey traditions of Sumbawa island and Sumba island in the neighbouring province of East Nusa Tenggara.

The action peaks at Praya’s old field (lapangan tua) between around 10am and noon when hundreds of people come to a standstill as the little jockeys arrive with their mounts.

The Sunday event is a horse lover’s picnic with owners showing and racing their favourite horses and displaying a good selection of the small horses used to pull cidomos – the colourful traditional pony carts used on Lombok as taxis.

One recent Sunday, about 20 horses were presented for participation in two main categories of events. In the senior class, the determined little jockeys test their dexterity and the speed of their older horses on a two-kilometre track.

The junior class is a horse-only training session at which small horses without jockeys are expected to follow the lead set by one or two more mature horses.

But it’s a serious competitive event. Horseshoes are diligently checked and among the hundreds who line up for the spectacle are diehards who place bets on their favourites.

Praya’s little jockeys have often had a year or two to practice their bareback riding skills before they ride competitively at age 5 or 6.

On Sundays, their day off from school, they hit the track with enthusiasm. They have no compunction about spurring their horses on towards a win and a blasé acceptance that their hobby may bring injuries.

Five-year- old Martin, born in Praya, emerges from a training session with his face covered in mud and his horsewhip welded to his right hand.

Introduced to horse-riding by his father at age 4, Martin participates in every amateur jockey event and competes against little jockeys from West Lombok, North Lombok and Sumbawa as well as his home regency of Central Lombok.

Martin exudes confidence before any race. On the track, the crowd erupts in cheers as his agile little fingers dance along the reins to manoeuvre his horse.

The capital of Central Lombok regency, Praya was once the home of important royals in the society of Lombok’s indigenous Sasak people. Sasak kings are known to have kept horses.

Throughout Lombok, ornately decorated small horses are still used to pull carts to provide traditional cidomo taxi transport for many residents and often for tourists too.

Even today, most Lombok communities keep a horse. Prices for horses vary widely from Rp8 million to Rp100 million, depending on the animal’s performance on the racetrack.

People are fond of naming their horses according to their dexterity and other attributes.

One local horse hero is not a local, however. Skardio is a 2.164m-high white stallion bought about eight years ago in Jakarta by Iwan, 30, of Sobirin in Praya.

Foaled on 10 October 2004, to sire Hanoman II and dam Mustika Dupont, Skardio has won tournaments in Praya and Sumbawa. He was a major attraction at an equestrian event in association with southern Lombok’s Bau Nyale festival.

Well known in Praya and beyond, Skardio’s speedy performances on the track have attracted offers of millions of rupiah from would-be owners.

If you are on Lombok on a Sunday, don’t miss the excitement and wonder of Praya’s tenacious little jockeys and other displays of traditional horsemanship.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Fairytale Moyo flagged for Geotourism

2012-02-23T08:30:00.000+08:00

The emerging popularity of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) as a global tourist destination and the province’s wealth of natural attractions have focused attention on the potential for geotourism.

NTB geologists, including former provincial Mining and Energy head Heriyadi Rahmat, conducted an intensive study of Sumbawa’s beautiful Moyo island to create an inventory of geological features around which a geotourism industry could be developed.

“The primary purpose was to identify natural features and geological components of Moyo island that could be used as flagship attractions in saleable geotourism packages for Sumbawa regency,” said Heriyadi Rahmat of the 2005-2006 study.

According to NTB regulation 9 of 1989, the Moyo Island area is one of six tourism districts of the island of Sumbawa. The fairytale island itself covers 30,000 hectares and is 27 kilometres long and 20 kilometres wide with 88 kilometres of coastline.

In its west and north, Moyo overlooks the Flores Sea. The island’s east overlooks Saleh Bay while the south looks to Sumbawa island. Much of the island is protected from the Flores Sea by Saleh Bay whose narrow entrance ensures calm waters.

“From the results of our studies, attractions on Moyo that could form the basis for geotourism development include Mata Jitu waterfall, Air Manis cave and Tanjung Pasir cave,” said Heriyadi, who said Brang Rea waterfall also was a potential attraction.

To protect Moyo’s natural environment, the Forestry Ministry ruled in 1986 that 28,460 hectares of the island would be designated as either game park or marine park. The game park covers 22,460 hectares and the marine park covers 6000 hectares, said Heriyadi.

Landsat imagery had revealed that the Mata Jitu falls were formed by structural faults. An unusual pattern of structural faults and crushed rock on the island’s eastern coast had created strangely contrasting waterway forms – Brang Koa was straight and Arung Santek crooked. Another waterway, the Sterna, was straight.

At Air Manis and Kelelawar caves, limestone dissolution has created stalactites on the cave walls. The caves were once large holes in the face of the limestone cliffs created by sea abrasion. Then, in the Pleistocene-late Pleistocene era, tectonic processes lifted Moyo island, shifting the caves well above sea level.

Air Manis cave is about 10 metres above sea level in a limestone (ancient coral) cliff. The horizontal mouth of the cave covers about 20 metres. “A drop of water is very little, so the stalactites formed here are still only a few centimetres long,” Heriyadi explains in a report.

At Tanjung Pasir cave, visitors will find a sinkhole with depths of two to five metres. Tiny stalactites have formed in the cave.

Heriyadi has called for the preservation of Moyo’s geotourism attractions which were rare and some unique. Of intense interest to geology specialists, they also were very useful to the studies of geology students, he said.

He recommended Moyo island be designated a geological conservation area to preserve its environments, including flora and fauna, which were beneficial to human life.

With its 88 kilometres of coast, Moyo island is ideal for the development of marine tourism activities such as snorkelling, diving and surfing. The island is home to the international Amanwana resort.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Knights of Sasak Fight for Friendship

2012-02-22T08:00:00.000+08:00

Lombok’s indigenous Sasak community actively preserves its ritual arts such as the challenging sport of Peresean (stick-fighting), which traditionally was practised by the knights of Sasak.

Two brave young men, named pepadu, use rattan sticks and cowhide shields to test their strength and agility. Their behaviour and attitude teach the true meaning of chivalry.

The fierce fight takes place to the beat of traditional music and is sometimes staged during the dry season as a plea to God for rain and fertile crops.

Peresean begins when two judges, named pekembar, appoint the young fighters. Dancing traditional steps, the pekembar nominate the pepadu who face each other in the arena. An appointed pepadu cannot refuse, even in the face of defeat by a stronger opponent.

Each fighter carries a one-metre long rattan stick for striking his opponent and an animal skin shield for defence. As the starter whistle sounds, spectators erupt in cheers for one or other of the village champions.

Combatants must not strike the legs and should target only the upper body including the shoulders, back and head. Strikes to the head earn a higher score, but once blood is drawn the victim is declared “Out.”

The stick-fighting tradition, kept alive for hundreds of years, invariably draws excited local crowds and curious tourists. It is on the agenda of most cultural events including celebrations of Indonesia’s Independence Day on 17 August.

Some Lombok villages have a reputation for the resilience and agility of their young pepadu. West Lombok’s Parampuan village generally sends 15 accomplished pepadu to an event.

These young knights of Sasak have been physically trained by a former champion pepadu and psychologically trained to resist defeat.

Rus, 35, was a popular young pepadu who earned the title Si Hujan Rintik, or The Rain Drop, for his speedy ability to disable his opponent’s swinging stick.

Representing Penarukan village in Gerung, Rus bled from the head only twice in the many events he contested from his early teens. “At the core of the tradition is the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, rather than hostility,” he said.

Peresean is integral to Sasak life. Resisting desire to refuse facing a stronger opponent represents the bravery of the Sasak community which has nothing to fear from threats or barriers if people behave correctly.

After every Peresean match, opponents clasp each other in a warm embrace, acknowledging there will be no hard feelings for blows inflicted or wounds sustained.

“Historically, there has never been an act of revenge or even an unfriendly incident after Peresean,” said Rus. “The hostility of the match is never taken out of the arena.”

The Peresean spirit of sportsmanship and chivalry develops strong bonds of brotherhood between opponents who may not previously have known each other.

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial police force has initiated a Peresean contest as a cultural means of dispelling potential threat of inter-village conflict.

“We remind people that the spirit of Peresean lives within them,” said Sasak cultural leader Lalu Nasib. “Physical competition should be carried out only in the Peresean arena.”

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Pemalikan Beach Waves its Magic Wand

2012-02-21T15:07:00.001+08:00

Every day, the vast tourism potential of the stunning coastal region of southern Lombok becomes more apparent with the revelation of yet another unspoiled, fabulous location.

Spectacular panoramic coastal scenes abound in seemingly endless supply, especially in the Sekotong area of southern West Lombok where idyllic little topical islands float in crystal clear, calm blue waters close to rugged, peppery sand beaches that are pounded by awesome waves.

West Lombok is blessed with established and highly successful tourist destinations such as Senggigi to the north and centrally-located Narmada. Now, attention is rapidly turning o the emerging destination of the regency’s dazzling southern coast.

Scenic sights are in abundance as soon as one crosses on the coastal road into the Sekotong area. There is high potential for the development of fishing tourism at the beach adjacent to Lembar harbour where rows of buoys define the fishermen’s nets.

Further south, after passing through central Sekotong, travellers are spellbound by kilometre after kilometre of flawlessly beautiful stretches of virgin beach.

From picturesque little white-rimmed islands, waves break over reefs to form clear blue shallows that lap gentle against pristine shores.

Pemalikan and Bangko Bangko beaches, separated by a small hill, are beautifully scenic and historic locations that attract tourists with an eye for the exquisite and surfers keen to answer the challenge of demanding waves.

The area, whose natural caves made it a stronghold for the Japanese army during World War II, still houses war relics including a large cannon.

While general tourists are still drawn to West Lombok’s iconic Senggigi beach, serious surfers are flocking to Pemalikan which is often listed among the world’s top ten surf locations for its intensely challenging waves. In fact the left-hand breaks off the beach are said to be the world’s best.

The fine white glistening sands of Pemalikan beach, and the neighbouring long-time surfing haven of Bangko Bangko, stretch inland from sparkling waters to meet lush natural forests that house a myriad of flora and fauna.

Under the area’s world-renowned surfing waves, that can reach two metres, teems a vibrant array of marine life.

In the Seketong area’s Batu Putih village, Pemalikan continues to attract more visitors who don’t need accommodation or restaurant facilities and who are prepared to journey to this particular paradise on damaged roads over hilly terrain.

Only about 50 kilometres south-west of Mataram, Pemalikan attracts healthy crowds in the hot months of June, July and August when receding tides expose the reef and stunning sunsets against Bali’s mystical Mount Agung create a wonderful atmosphere of peace and serenity.

It is mostly around sunset that friendly locals come to meet their visitors, make them welcome and have them yearning to return.

Some international tourists travel about an hour by boat from Nusa Penida or Lembongan islands, off Bali, for fishing, snorkelling and the challenge of the waves which consistently puts the beach among the world’s top ten surf destinations

Pemalikan is already the location for competitive surfing events. “The waves certainly are very challenging,” said one visitor, a 45-year-old Russian tourist who arrived by boat from Bali.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Cukli Craftsmen Revive their Ornate Skills

2012-01-19T11:31:00.000+08:00

The Heartbreaking first Bali bombings on October 12, 2002, tarnished the global reputation of Indonesia as a safe destination, crippled Bali’s important tourism sector and severely eroded Lombok tourism.

Lombok’s key tourism areas, such as Senggigi, were suddenly devoid of visitors and companies operating hotels, restaurants and travel agencies were forced to lay off workers.

Business ground to a halt, impacting on Lombok’s traditional weavers of Sukarara village, the pottery producers of Banyumulek and the industrious cukli craftsmen of Sayang-Sayang village in Mataram who produce furniture and other items intricately inlaid with pieces of shell such as kerang and mother-of-pearl.

In many cases, craft production ceased and artisans were forced seek work in the fields, as motorcycle taxi drivers or as porters in local markets.

“All work associated with the tourism sector was affected and many businessmen ended up in poverty because of debt and even bankruptcy,” said Suhaili Suaeb who owns Ovi Handicraft, a cukli business at the Sayang-Sayang art market on Jalan Lingkar Utara.

Before the 2002 Bali bombings, said Suhaili, almost 80 percent of residents around Sayang-Sayang were professionally engaged in making cukli handicrafts such as carved tables, chairs, doors, traditional timber windows and masks inlaid with shell.

After the tragedy, which left 202 people dead and shocked the world, only a handful of cukli artisans continued their work.

Now, with the revitalisation of Lombok’s domestic and international tourism business, cukli craftsmen at Sayang-Sayang are again busy producing their distinctive products.

While business is not as brisk as before the downturn, said Suhaili, buyers are crowding into the Sayang-Sayang art market (pasar seni).

Suhaili, who has worked with cukli since 1998, was loyal to his craft during the extended slump and diligently operated alone to produce cukli craft which he was forced to sell at low prices.

“The important thing was to get some capital back to put meals on the table,” he recalled.

After the Mataram city council established the Sayang-Sayang art market in Cakranegara, he rented a market stall for Rp540,000 a year.

His business is growing as Lombok gains a reputation as a tourist destination and visitor spending increases the buying power of the local market. He also is exporting to Spain and Australia.

Export orders can fill three commercial trucks, he says, without revealing the value of the goods. “What is clear is that the price is pretty big,” he laughed.

Suhaili says traditional crafts such as cukli were often taught by parents who had learned the skills from their ancestors.

“Lombok cukli artisans initially only made objects such as the carved doors, ornately inlaid with pieces of shell, which can be found in many ancient buildings on the island, and small wooden items such as masks, lizards and jewellery boxes,” he explained.

Nowadays, cukli craftsmen also make a broader range of interior and exterior furniture and fittings for homes and businesses such as hotels.

Due to limited supplies of shell, however, this essential raw material is sourced from Sulawesi, Ambon in Maluka province and Flores in East Nusa Tenggara.

The craft of cukli is distinctive to Lombok and items, said Suhaili, are priced from Rp10,000 to Rp8.5 million.

source:www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Unique Rembiga Rites keep Disaster at Bay

2012-01-18T09:30:00.000+08:00

For hundreds of years, villagers at Rembiga in Mataram have practised the unique and complex Betetulak ritual to protect their community from disaster.

The December tradition features a procession through the village of bottles of holy water and offerings of food. In 2011 it was attended by thousands of villagers, government officials and traditional tribal leaders of the indigenous Sasak people of Lombok.

Displays of various traditional arts, as well as the Chinese lion dance, opened the sacred ceremony before indigenous leaders presented a historic flag to Mataram Mayor Ahyar Abduh to symbolise recognition of him as a traditional Sasak leader.

He was sprinkled with yellow rice and holy water and then paraded through the village on a palanquin.

The Betetulak ritual to ward off disaster is performed only in Rembiga, before sunset, and is linked to the word “tulak” which means to reject.

Rembiga has a special building, named gendeng, for the storage of religiously significant and other historical objects that may date back to the 15th century days of the Kingdom of Selaparang on Lombok.

The artefacts, including perforated urns and bottles, were both tools of empire and tools used to broaden the spread of Islam on Lombok.

Society believes that a ritual offering involving a procession of the ancient objects through the village, and prayers to God for protection and prosperity, will save the community from disease and disaster.

“Every year we perform this ritual and we have always been a blessed village, free from harm and with our citizens existing in harmony,” said Rembiga resident Mohammad.

The sacred artefacts are integral to Betetulak which starts with readings to praise God, or Gedeng Roah. Blessings are incanted over ancient bottles that have been wrapped in white shrouds.

Villagers tasked with carrying the bottles through the community are prohibited from speaking for three days and nights before the procession.

Betetulak, in fact, is a series of rituals performed over four consecutive days. For three days, residents are required to take from their homes any object, such as a kris (traditional sword), believed to have special powers, for parading through the village.

They must also parade any animals considered to be sacred.

Readings of old stories recorded on palm leaves begin at midnight on the last day and continue until morning.

Different offerings are made on each of the four nights. Firstly, sticky pulp in both red and white represents the power of God to create both males (white) and females (red). The pulps are later combined to symbolise an embryo that develops into an offspring which eventually returns to the Creator.

On the second night, cone-shaped pancakes made of rice flour are offered to ensure God will protect the foetus.

Thirdly, small and large diamond-shaped food parcels are offered to signify trust in God to see humans, who should only try and pray, through the trials and issues of life.

On the last night, offerings of rice and side dishes that are not derived from living things are made to signify the requirement for humans to live simply without seeking luxury food.

Sasak people place priority on human harmony with the environment. Their philosophy is that human life stems from and is dependent on nature and must interact with nature.

To conquer and control nature will incite fury and bring disaster and widespread harm.

Sasak people have many different rituals, including Betetulak, to ensure social harmony. In Lembar in West Lombok, the Selamat Gubuk tradition requires villagers to make special incantations, but only after disaster has struck.

The Selamat Gumi ritual in Central Lombok is performed to ensure prosperous harvests. Villagers make a procession to their fields where they place offerings that have been blessed in every corner of the fields.

Maintaining good relations with their natural surroundings is pivotal to Sasak culture and the primary purpose of many of their traditions.

source:http://www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

A Racy River Ride through Lombok History

2012-01-17T11:26:00.003+08:00

Visitors to historic Narmada Park can gain a new perspective on the location’s significant attractions by seeing them from the river that intersects the beautiful park’s boundary.

In a bid to boost visitor numbers and enhance the tourist experience, park managers have introduced a rafting package which offers fun and excitement while showcasing the park’s heritage features.

Eleven kilometres east of Mataram, the park is most often reported to have been built in 1727 by Mataram’s Balinese King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem.

Rafting at Narmada Park is both enjoyable and educational. Rafters experiencing the package since it was introduced four months ago receive a taste of park attractions that arouses their interest and brings them back to fully explore the heritage gardens.

Instructors are on hand to guide groups of rafters along the swiftly-flowing Peresak River and to identify convenient points for photographing the passing attractions.

Rafters see two of the park’s important and better-known features: the Dutch heritage “Shiphon” community irrigation system and the garden of Durian Raja, the king of all durian fruit.

Reached after a few kilometres of white water rafting, Shiphon dominates yet conforms to the landscape to the east of the park’s lake.

Built during the Dutch trading and colonial era which lasted from the 17th century to 1949, the giant Shiphon snakes across the terrain, splitting the river and delivering water to villages in the region.

Rather than interfering with the landscape, the massive structure matches the natural contours of the terrain in its path. Starting from a low hill, it curves and rolls its way in synchronisation with the land towards Peresak village.

Visitors find themselves engrossed in the amazing engineering feat of the one-kilometre long Shiphon as it continues to rush water to meet the irrigation needs of surrounding villages.

The rafting expedition ends where an orchard of the pungent and coveted durian fruit rises from the river banks, providing a cool and shady garden which produces the Durian Raja.

According to local people, the trees bearing this rare and favoured species of durian were planted when the King of Mataram built the Narmada Park complex. A statue in the park which features a history portrayed in symbols indicates the park was built in the early 18th century.

Certainly the 45-metre average height of the Durian Raja trees, and their wide trunks, indicate they are very old. Their fruit is known as the most delicious of all durian.

“Hopefully this new rafting package adds value for visitors experiencing the history reflected at Narmada Park,” said park manager Supriyadi.

Near to the Shiphon and at the bottom of Narmada Park lies a large and beautiful lake which is a replica of the magnificent caldera lake, Segara Anak, on Lombok’s towering volcano, Mount Rinjani.

Park management puts the lake to good use by staging a series of regular and special fishing events which draw thousands of fishing enthusiasts to the park.

In preparation for a major event in mid-January, the lake has been cleaned and restocked with thousands of fish of numerous species including carp, nila and bawel. “We have already released thousands of young fish into the lake,” said Supriyadi, who anticipates thousands of participants in January.

Fishing events include a weekly competition, invitational events and an open tournament in which anglers vie for the West Lombok Regent’s trophy.

Another major angling event in April is expected to draw thousands of anglers from around Lombok.

Supriyadi says the introduction of fishing events as a Narmada Park tourism product in recent years has been a huge success.

Most residents of the Narmada and Lingsar districts own stocked fish ponds which many use a primary means of business by creating traditional lesehan style eating places – diners sit on cushions on raised open-air roofed structures – which are supplied with fresh water fish from the ponds.

Members of fishing groups in both Narmada and nearby Lingsar have embraced the park’s program of fishing events. And the park management is hopeful that travel agents will sell Narmada fishing packages to international and domestic visitors to Lombok.

Many aspects of Narmada Park, which houses numerous buildings of religious and historical significance, are sacred and it is an important location for ceremonies.

source:www.enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

The Hidden Treasure of Karang Bayan

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

Hidden treasure is waiting to be found among the rich art, fruit and forest products of West Lombok’s Karang Bayan village, 25 kilometres east of Mataram.

But it has nothing to do with durian or other exotic natural products – it is an ancient mosque that has been there for three centuries.

Known as the Mosque of Honesty, it numbers among several heritage mosques on Lombok, yet until now it has been overlooked as a religious and tourism attraction
.
Moves have started to publicise the historic Masjid Kuno Karang Bayan and to make it a “must see” on tourist itineraries, along with famous places of worship at Bayan in North Lombok; Rembitan in Central Lombok; and Songak in East Lombok.

Local leader Hajji Jayadi says the Karang Bayan mosque may have been a victim of the village’s high profile as a centre of art and fine agricultural produce.

As in many Lombok communities, Karang Bayan’s 300 families are a mix of Muslims and Hindus. Mostly farmers, they live peacefully alongside each other in the time-honoured Lombok way.

The centuries-old Mosque of Honesty sits on a plot of land five metres by six metres and still features its original soil and bamboo walls and thatch roof.

Locals say it has never been maintained or repaired and its structure is deteriorating. Although it is now fenced off, there are no apparent plans to restore the historic building.

Once an important mosque for many, its place on the calendar of traditional events is uncertain and activities at the mosque have dropped sharply. But Hajji Jayadi says local people are still committed to caring for and maintaining historic relics and keeping social customs once mandated from the mosque.

“It was built hundreds of years ago,” says Hajji Jayadi. Because of this history local people believe it not only symbolises religious or customary rites but also regulates social conformity.

“The people all believe in the power of this mystical place. The mosque is considered the protector of the village from outside dangers. This binds citizens to live according to existing rules.

“Those who have been accused of not acting according to the norms are still taken to the mosque to be tried and punished.”
The mosque exerts tremendous power over local people. No one would dare touch or take away items from the building, a factor that has led to its becoming known as the Mosque of Honesty. “If anyone dared to do this, the people would go crazy,” said Hajji Jayadi.

Local belief is that the mosque is the law and will immediately have proof of any violations.
Karang Bayan has high historical value in Lombok’s story as the site at which the Hindu king Anak Agung Gede Patre founded (in about 1618) a rich kingdom that lasted more than two centuries before the Dutch colonial authorities took over in the late 19th century.

What killed the great wealth of the kingdom was a rule introduced by the Dutch that limited individual landholdings to nine hectares. At that time kingly lands totalled 900 hectares in Narmada, Lingsar and Gunungsari.

Aside from the historic mosque, the Karang Bayan area houses remnants of royal buildings including the Kaputeren, still in use, which Anak Agung Gede Patre built as a haven for his wife and daughters during his absence. The only men allowed near it were guards on the parapets outside the building which was made of similar materials to those of the mosque.

Today the Kaputeren serves as a girls’ hostel for students living away from home. The prohibition on men entering the building is still enforced by local custom and transgressors would face customary punishment.

Hajji Jayadi says the rich history of the area could become a mainstay tourist attraction, especially as tourists are aware of nearby destinations such as Suranadi forest park. The park was created during the reign of King Anak Agung of Mataram to honour a Hindu missionary, Dang Hyang Nilarta.

Not far away is historic Pura Lingsar, the biggest and oldest Hindu temple in Lombok. It was built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ketut Karangasem near the Toya Hengsar spring which is said to have been revealed to Anglurah Ketut Karangasem on his expedition to Lombok in 1692.

source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Relics of Sumbawa’s Rich Regal Past

2011-12-19T08:30:00.000+08:00

Iconic Dalam Loka Palace, built in 1855 by Sumbawa Sultan Muhammad Jalaluddin Syah III, is one West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) monument that is widely known throughout Indonesia.

A replica of the palace at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) park of miniatures in Jakarta represents links between NTB and the capital and nation.

The palace, in the city centre of Sumbawa Besar, features walls made exclusively of teak and it once functioned as a museum.
Known as Istana Tua, or Old Palace, Dalam Loka Palace consists of twin buildings supported by 99 pillars representing the 99 known names of Allah.

Several royal palaces, including Bala Balong, Bala Sawo and Gunung Setia, previously occupied the Dalam Loka site but either collapsed from age or were destroyed by fire.

The large Dalam Loka Palace complex replaced the old palaces and still stands proudly, reflecting the history and culture of the Sumbawa sultanate.

Westwards in the palace complex is a large field, Lenang Lunyuk, in which stood Makam Mosque which has been renamed Nurul Huda Mosque. In the days of the earlier sultanate, the palace, the field and the mosque were an inseparable unit with interrelated functions.

About 500 metres to the north of the palace is a modern palace built by the Dutch colonial authorities in 1934. Named Wisma Praja, it is also known as Regency Hall and has been well maintained.

Wisma Praja is believed to have been the office of Sultan Kaharuddin III, before he eventually moved to Bala Kuning palace, the private yellow-coloured home which he occupied until his death.
Wisma Praja now serves as the official office of the Sumbawa regent and features a tennis court around where there was once a sacred well with a depth of 19 metres.

The southern part of the Wisma Praja complex, once a residential area for royal officials, houses a primary school, the Brang Bara village office and Sumbawa Besar offices.
At the front of the Wisma Praja complex is a three-story building known as Bale Jam, or Hour House, on whose third floor hangs a large bell imported from Holland. The bell, which no longer operates, would sound on the hour to inform Sumbawa Besar city residents of the time.

When political changes altered the status of Sumbawa from a sultanate to a second-level autonomous district, the sultan and his family moved from Wisma Praja to Bala Kuning which still displays some of the heritage of the sultanate.
Well maintained relics depicting the greatness of the sultanate include clothing and banquet and other ceremonial equipment. Other items include ceremonial swords and other weapons, umbrellas and a copy of the Qu’ran (Koran) hand-written by Ibnu Abdullah Al-Jawi during the reign of Sultan Harrunnurrasyid II, from 1770 to 1790.

According to Sumbawa’s head of Youth, Sport, Culture and Tourism, H Naziruddin, relics from the ancient Sumbawa sultanate, such as those found at Dalam Loka, Wisma Praja and Kuning Bala, are the main attractions in city tours of Sumbawa Besar.
“There is one more palace containing relics of the Sumbawa sultanate,” he said. “This is the former residence of the First Minister of Sumbawa and it is not well known by the public.

“Of course, in addition to our rich historical tours, Sumbawa regency also has many other interesting and exciting attractions and destinations.”

Source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Women Weave a Living from Ancient Art

2011-12-17T09:30:00.000+08:00

When people ask where they can see the age-old process of weaving traditional Lombok fabrics, they are invariably directed to Sukarara village in the Jonggat district of Central Lombok.

Sukarara gained a reputation during West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province’s tourism boom in the 1980s as Lombok’s prime production centre for traditionally designed and woven fabrics.

And while many other Lombok communities have since developed a profile for their customary and colourful handicrafts including weaving, Sukarara’s pioneering spirit has secured its position as the prime destination for tourists wanting to examine and buy the island’s distinctive woven fabrics.

According to Intan Art Shop owner and manager Nizom, the weaving expertise of the Sukarara villagers is a legacy inherited through generations that today provides the livelihood of most village residents, especially the women.

“For the women of Sukarara, weaving is a daily activity that has been passed down from generation to generation,” he says. “In fact, village girls generally start weaving at around age eight, when they are in their second or third year of elementary school.

” In early days, said Nizom, weaving was an additional activity performed by Sukarara women after they had returned from the fields and completed their daily chores. Nowadays, tourism development has turned their weaving into regular work and a prime source of income.

Nizom’s Intan Art Shop was established in 1992 and he inherited the craft business from his mother only a few years ago. Today he employs five weavers and has produced hundreds of motifs for various sized pieces of woven fabric.

Among the distinctive Sukarara motifs that characterise the island of Lombok, is Subahnala, which Nizom says is Lombok’s most ancient woven fabric design.

Other well-known designs include Wayang, Keker, Bintang Empat, Barong, Bulan Begantung and Lumbung – all representations of culturally significant influences such as traditional puppetry and dance, stars, the moon and rice barns.

Sukarara generally produces two sizes of fabric. Depending on the intricacy of the design, it takes about six or seven weeks to produce a sarong-sized length of 2 metres by 120 centimetres. Lengths of 4 metres by 60 centimetres are woven in only one or two weeks, says Nizom, because much simpler motifs are used. Price depends mostly on the complexity of the motif and the type of yarn used to weave the fabric. “In general, prices for a length of woven material can range from Rp200,000 up to Rp3 million for hand-woven silk with a complicated motif,” he said.

Nizom has worked with travel agents and tour operators to ensure a good spread of buyers across the year. “The local and domestic markets peak in December and January, during school holidays and the New Year season,” he said. “High season for foreign visitors coincides with peak tourism season during the European summer months of June, July and August.” As part of his business development strategy, Nizom participates in national and regional trade events such as promotions at the Jakarta Trade Centre, the Pekan Raya Jakarta fair and the NTB Expo handicrafts exhibition.

source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Lombok on Show at World Travel Event

2011-12-16T16:05:00.002+08:00

FOR THE first time, Lombok tourism was collectively represented in 2011 at London’s World Travel Market – the annual leading global promotional event for the travel and tourism industry.

The intensive four-day event in November gives business-to-business opportunities to present destinations and industry sectors to United Kingdom and other international travel professionals.

This year’s event was the busiest ever, attracting 28,000 visitors which was a five percent increase on 2010 attendance which soared 10 percent over visitor numbers in 2009.

Lombok tourism at the event was represented by the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) branch of the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI); the Lombok Hotels Association and five Lombok resorts.

Lombok’s attendance at the event was supported by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Sapta Nirwanda. His London program included a trade show seminar on 8 November titled Wonderful Indonesia in which the Visit Lombok Sumbawa 2012 campaign was promoted along with a program to attract tourism to South Sulawesi.

Overall, the Lombok delegation was successful in presenting the island’s tourism potential to industry operators capable of promoting and sending tourists to the island and to the British and international media.

On behalf of NTB’s branch of PHRI, Santosa Resort & Villas general manager Stephane Servin said while many travel agents at the exhibition responded well to products from throughout Indonesia, they were particular impressed with Lombok’s presence and products.

“Many of them previously knew little of Lombok and were excited to be presented with a ‘new’ market,” said Mr Servin. “Some of the main wholesalers at the travel market commented that it was time to see much more of Lombok at major travel trade events.”
World Travel Market London presents a rare opportunity for the global travel and tourism trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.

Participants therefore gain a competitive advantage for their businesses and are exposed to new developments in the tourism and travel industry.

Lombok resorts which sent representatives to London were Puri Mas Villas, Puri Bunga Cottages, Qunci Villas and Cocotinos Sekotong as well as Santosa.

Puri Mas has two boutique properties a little north of the Senggigi tourist strip; Puri Bunga overlooks Senggigi Bay, Qunci ‘s beachfront boutique property is north of Senggigi; Cocotinos sits on the bay in Lombok’s developing southern destination of Sekotong; and Santosa occupies prime beachfront land at Senggigi.

Lombok tourism operators have responded enthusiastically to broader opportunities to promote travel to the island with the opening of the new Lombok International Airport which can accommodate wide-bodied aircraft.

Charter flights will deliver 4000 Russians directly to Lombok airport for two-week vacations through to May 2012. And tourism professionals are hopeful that successful low-cost carrier Air Asia will be one of the first airlines to schedule new regular services to Lombok in 2012.

source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

Finding Nemo with Gili Air Divers

2011-12-16T15:36:00.000+08:00

Every who has watched the movie Finding Nemo is familiar with the cute, orange-white striped fish that got lost in the big wide ocean.

But what do we really know about these amazing creatures that are found all around the Gili islands? Firstly, Nemo was originally named a False Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion percula) and is part of a big family of numerous species of anemonefish.

The fish grow up to about 11 centimetres and live in venomous anemonies. Their symbiosis with anemones is extraordinary: while an anemone (with its stinging cells) protects an anemonefish from predators, the brightly-coloured fish attacks prey for the anemone.

Divers from Gili Air Divers usually notice that the lively anemonefish always move very quickly — and sometimes it even seems as though they are dancing.

The fact is that by moving very quickly anemonefish, or Nemos, protect themselves from the stings of the anemone that they inhabit.

It has been said that anemonefish can create a mucus which carries the anemone’s chemical signature and therefore protects them from the poisonous stings. Gili Air Divers staff always ensure that clients understand that anemonefish are not at all aggressive, and that they are always fun to watch underwater.

They usually live in an anemone as a small monogamous family of a pair of adult anemonefish and several small juveniles, which are not actually their real offspring, but juveniles that were brought to the anemone with currents and waves. Another amazing feature of these small and lively animals is their way of changing sex during their life cycle. All anemonefish are born as males. Later, the largest one in an anemone takes the leading role and transforms into a female.

If a female dies, within a week another male will change sex to ensure there is a leader in an anemone.

There are a lot of diversities around the Three Gilis (Lombok’s north-west islands of Air, Meno and Trawangan), where divers can get up close to anemonefish at dive locations such as the Air Wall, Frog Fish Point, Mirko’s reef, Shark Point, Bounty Wreck and Manta Point. Did you know that you can hear anemonefish underwater? At Gili Air Divers, we always like to take our time and let our customers listen to the sounds of these small, colourful creatures. It’s well worth the experience.

source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com