Lombok is one of the popular travel destinations in Indonesia, located between Bali and Sumbawa Islands. Like other regions in Indonesia that have many volcanoes and beautiful beaches, Lombok also has their unique nature that makes the island stand out among Indonesia's other destinations.
Lombok is dominated by Sasak ethnic group that originally comes from Java Island. If you are a culture connoisseur, there is no doubt to visit Desa Sade where Sasak ethnic live with their original traditions and values in this globalization era. You will enjoy and get to know their cultures and heritages such as below:
Buffalo Dung for House ‘Cleaning’
Although almost Sasak ethnic is Islam, the values from animism and dynamism from the past remained in their cultures. As a tradition to follow the belief inherited by the ancestors, they use buffalo or cow dung to ‘clean’ their houses to avoid the evil power. It might sound gross to you. But in fact, covering their houses with dung also could make their buildings get stronger. In addition, it also brings benefits to repel mosquitos and warmer the house temperature.
According to its tradition, they usually cover up their houses with dung once every 4-5 days. They also will do the tradition if the family wants to join some rituals or hold an event. However, there is a certain characteristic for the dung they use. Usually, they only use a fresh one that they took in the morning. For the application, it is so easy. They only mix the dung with water and randomly mop their houses with it. As a result, the floors look shiny without leaving any bad smells.
The Natural Material for House Building
The typical house of Sasak ethnic group usually uses basic materials that come directly from nature. The wall is made from bamboo brads, and the roof is made of haystacks that are arranged in certain positions. This is also one of the ways of living that they continue from their ancestors.
If you ask whether the house can remain for a long time, the answer is surprisingly yes. The materials they used are light ones but can be resistant to shocks or water. The building also uses bamboo as the support beam. Once the house is built with those materials, it could stand for years. Since all the material is natural, the building has good air circulation and feels so comfortable.
Kidnapping & Elopement
This is probably the most unique tradition in Desa Sade. If a grown-up man enters the marriage age, he needs to kidnap his beloved woman and secretly elope without getting noticed by the woman’s parents. Usually, the man and the woman have loved each other. In Desa Sade, the couple who plan their elopement will meet at midnight in the tree of love. The tree is believed by the villagers that it can create a relationship long-lasting. In doing the tradition, the man will be helped by his friends. If the man successfully brings the woman without knowing her parents, they two will be legitimated to continue the marriage. But if not, the marriage cannot be accepted.
Natural Woven Fabric
If you have traveled to Lombok before, you might frequently meet women who sell woven fabric. Well, it is because the fabric is the original art from Sasak ethnic group and a livelihood to increase the family wealth being.
In Desa Sade, it is obligatory to be able to weave for women from the age of ten. The material used comes naturally 100% cotton, with the coloring agents that also come from nature. As part of the working process, the villagers are still using traditional spinning machines. Therefore, it is a long process with an average of 2 cm of final fabric per 1 hour. For a completed one (200 x 75 cm), the process will take around 1 month.
So, are you interested to see Sasak's special cultures directly? Well, you can give a short visit if you want since it is only about 25 minutes from Praya International Lombok Airport! If you want to get more articles like this, you can find out on our page here.
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Traveling to Lombok? Make sure to visit this special ethnic groups.
Written By Fitria Zahra Octavia
Image by Fitria Zahra Octavia
Edited and Posted By Derry Khudlori