Time shows at 03.30 Wita when thousands of citizens and tourists began to fulfil the Seger Beach which included in the Mandalika Special Economy Area in Kuta, Pujut, Central Lombok, NTB to follow the Bau Nyale tradition or capture the nyale. The tradition that is also known as the name of the Nyale Bau Festival held every year between February and March by the Sasak community.
Nyale is a kind of marine worm living in holes and coral stones under sea level. This worm is associated with the local folk legend, the Princess Mandalika, a beautiful woman in the southern region of Lombok.
Mandalika Princess became the remark of the prince of various kingdoms in Lombok Island. Worried about blood growth, Mandalika's daughter chose to sacrifice themselves by waterfalls to the sea and promised to return every year by manifesting herle.
A number of people walk towards the beach when the Bau Nyale tradition on the Bau Nyale 2024 Charm Festival at the Pantai Seger Special Economy Area (KEK) Mandalika, Kuta Village, Praya, Central Lombok, NTB.
The number of residents established tents on the coastal suburban when the tradition of Bau Nyale 2024 on the Pantai Seger Special Economy Area (KEK) Mandalika, Kuta Village, Praya, Central Lombok, NTB.
The Sasak community believes that he appears to be trusted as a jelmaan or fulfillment of Mandalika’s promise. They are then happy to welcome the promise by capturing nyale.
Before capturing the nyale, the ritual of the Sangkep Warige, is a deliberation followed by cultural figures, indigenous figures, and religious figures aimed at determining the time of implementation of the peak of the Bau Nyale tradition which is a good day. From the results of the deliberation it was estimated on 20 months 10 in the comprehension of the Sasak tribe as a time out of him.
The process of capturing the usual nyale is carried out in the morning auction. Some people have come to Seger Beach, Mandalika, Central Lombok which is one of the locations to capture the nyale since 03.30 Wita. Some even have chosen to stay there. They come from a variety of Lombok Island areas by carrying equipment such as lights, stakes, and buckets.
Colors are preparing to look for the nyale (colorful sea view) when the Festival Charming of Lombok Economy (Kal).
The process of capturing the nyale not only on the beachside, but to the middle when the sea is massage. Nyale will appear and the citizens then reconciliately capture it by hand or serokan. The community believes if the nyale is a lot that comes out signing the farm successfully. They will discard the used leaves of nyale wrapping to paddy fields in hope that the results of rice plants can abundantly rash.
The festival of Pesona Bau Nyale or catch the sea worm impressive thousands of tourists coming. A variety of arts and cultures is also featured by raising the concept of folk legends about Mandalika Princess. The local government, Bau Nyale’s tradition is aimed at encouraging tourist visits, local culture preservation and a proof of the hospitality of Lombok’s people against investment geliat in Mandalika.
Photo and text: Ahmad Subaidi
Editor: R Rekotomo
