LOMBOK ISLAND

1. About Lombok

The majestic Mountain Rinjani and spectacular marine life to discover, the island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara has no shortage of attractions both in and out of the water. It’s no wonder that Lombok become one of the most popular destination in West Nusa Tenggara. Lombok Island is separated by the Lombok strait from Bali Island in the west and by Alas strait in the east from Sumbawa Island. The Sasak people are the dominant ethnic group living in this island, which also consist of 5 regions: North Lombok, Central Lombok, East Lombok, West Lombok and Mataram city, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara.

North Lombok is where you can embark on the great hike to Mount Rinjani and linger until the sunset at Gili’s beautiful beaches.

Mount Rinjani is one of the highest volcano in Indonesia, with its summit rising to 3,726 meters above sea level. The Segara Anak Crater Lake located on top of the volcano, is one of the scenic view you should stop by and marvel at.

Central Lombok is where the lovely beaches are situated. Kuta Beach, Tanjung A’an, and Mawun Beach are just a few on the list. Don’t miss out to brush up your wave riding skills in the splendid Selong Belanak Beach, or make way to Merese Hill and enjoy the view.

2. The Local People of Lombok “SASAK”

As the local ethnic people in Lombok Island, Sasak tribe is like most tribes in Indonesia. The people belong to Austronesians that moved from Asia’s mainland to South Pacific Islands about 5,000 years BC. Sasak people full 85% of the population in Lombok.Even the island is near Bali and gets much influence from the Island of Gods, Sasak people embrace Islam instead of Hindu Bali.

Sasak Tribe has specific traditions, worshiping rituals, customs, and ordinances to rule their everyday life, including when they build a house. Most of the people do farming as their main livelihood. Meanwhile, the women make traditional weave at their homes. They produce unique weaves in beautiful colors and various patterns that are loved by most tourists that visit Lombok.

Sasak people has a traditional transportation that is used in the daily life of people in Lombok and also Sumbawa Island, named Cidomo. It is pulled by a horse and controlled by a man. Kinds of accessories are used by the horse such as a horse goggles or mask, chest strap, rope tail, strings and whip. Until nowadays, Cidomo race has become one of traditions that can appeals more tourists to visit Lombok.

Meanwhile, a unique celebration is held every year in Bayan called Bayan Beleq. The celebration belongs to an ancient tradition of thatched mosque. Besides, the island also has another worth tradition to watch by tourists; it is Peresehan. It is performing two men that fight with their traditional fighting ways that every man bring a long rattan stave and a rectangular shieldthat is made from small cow hide for fighting. In the past time, the fighting tradition often cause bleedings in the fighters. But nowadays, it is fully performed as tourism attraction.