Lombok is home to many traditional events and practices and one of its most popular is Bau Nyale. According to reporting from Tempo, the traditional community figures of the Sasak tribe have held their Sangkep Warige rituals to determine that the next Bau Nyale will be held for two days from February 10-11, 2023, at Seger Beach, Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Sangkap Warige is a tradition of deliberations conducted by religious and traditional figures of the Sasak tribe to determine when to hold Bau Nyale, which is the tradition of catching sea worms that are believed to be the incarnation of Princess Mandalika, who has a pure soul and who sacrificed herself for the welfare of her people.
During the event, people who participate go to the south-central coast, near Kuta and Mandalika in Lombok to catch sea worms.
Head of the Central Lombok Regency Tourism Office, Lendek Jayadi, said that certain signs were examined to determine the time for the peak of Bau Nyale in 2023, including the sound of tengekere (crickets), the traditional calendar of the Sasak tribe (Bintang Rowot), and other signs that conveyed by traditional figures, say Tempo.
“Bau Nyale will be part of the series to welcome the World Superbike (WSBK) event at the Mandalika Circuit in March 2023,” said Jayadi.
Central Lombok Deputy Regent, HM Nursiah, appreciated the community’s support for the Sangka Warige procession to determine the 2023 Bau Nyale festival. “The peak of Bau Nyale has been set to February 10-11,” he said.
Apart from the tradition of catching sea worms, the Bau Nyale festival will feature Lombok’s art and culture, such as the performance of the traditional dance of Paresean, the reciting of an old script called Pepaosan, and the election of Princess Mandalika.
Source: Tempo
