Nusa Tenggara

Nusa Tenggara

The words mean South East Island consisted of two provinces of West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara. Formerly known as the Lesser Sunda Islands, comprise the islands between Bali to the West and Timor to the East, spanning a reach about equal to that of the entire length of the island of Java. The five major islands in this region are Lombok and Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara, and Sumba, Flores, West Timor and a number of smaller islands in the eastern province. They support a combined population of about seven million people of various ethnic origins.

These Lesser Sundas are part of the volcanic belt that runs from the Souteast Asian mainland over Sumatera, Java and Bali to end at the Northeastern rim of the Banda Sea basin in Maluku.The island of Lombok is where the transition from the West Indonesian plant and animal worlds to those of the Eastern parts begins. The Northern part of the island is the mountainous and verdant with tall trees  end shrubs covering the land. The South is arid and covered by wide savannas. Large Asian mammals are absent. The shift gets more pronounced as one moves further toward the East. Dry seasons are more prolonged and in many areas, corn and sago instead of rice is the staple food.

Lombok, an island of white virgin beaches, cool mountains, wide savannas and old age tradtion, is separated by merely a narrow strait from Bali, is only now being discovered as a tourist destination of exceptional charm. In Lombok, the motto is “You could see Bali in Lombok, but not Lombok in Bali”. It is a maxim inspired by existing realities, formed by the superimposition of strong Balinese influences in the past upon a base that is entirely Lombok’s own. At around the time Moslem first came to these islands in the 15^th century.

At present, Hinduism is the religion embraced mostly by the Balinese population groups who have mostly settled in Western Lombok. The indigenous people of Lombok, the Sasaks, are predominantly Moslem. Even more so are the people of neighboring Sumbawa. In East Nusa Tenggara, almost 53 percent to the populationbelong to the Roman Chatolic Church. A little over 31 percent are protestants and only about eight percent are Moslems. The rest adheres to other faiths, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and the old indigenous beliefs. Pre-Hindu, Pre-Moslem, and Pre-Christian traditions, still form a strong sublayer which colours the cultural expressions of the whole area.

West Nusa Tenggara’s cultural make up is a composite of those of the four main population groups inhabiting the two islands, those are ; The Balinese, The Sumbawanese, and The Peoples of Bima and also The Peoples of Dompu. The region is famous for it’s “Ikat Handwoven Textiles”. Cattle and horses are the major exports of these islands.

West Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara

The Capital City of West Nusa Tenggara Province is “Mataram”

The province of West Nusa Tenggara, comprises of the islands which is made up of the island of Lombok and Sumbawa between Bali to the Sumbawa to the East, spanning a rech about equal to that of the entire length of the island of Java. The two major islands in this region are Lombok and Sumbawa. At present, Hinduism is the religion embraced mostly by the Balinese population groups who have mostly settled in Western Lombok.The indigenous people of Lombok, the Sasaks, are predominantly Moslem. Even more so are the people of neighbouring Sumbawa. At present, West Nusa Tenggara’s cultural make up is a composite of those of the four main population groups inhabiting the two islands the Balinese, the Sumbawanese and the peoples of Bima and Dompu. The region is famous for it’s ikat hanwoven textiles. Cattle and horses are the major exports of these islands.

West Nusa Tenggara, which is made up of the island of Lombok and Sumbawa was once thought to be dull and unintersting, difficult to get to and it’s peoples unfriendly. Lombok was used for short breaks away from Bali while Sumbawa was only valued for the cheap land route it offered to Giant Lizard Dragon(Komodo) and beyond. Many more are discovering two enthanting islands that still retain the mystique of the East, islands still growing with an aura of the past. The beauty of the landscape is relativelly unspoilt, ideal countryside for trekking and those with an adventurous spirit. Lombok has Mount Rinjani, an awe inspiring volcano which soars to a height of 3.726 meters and Sumbawa’s Mount Tambora is credited with the most destructive eruption in recorded history. Once held the title of being the highest mountain in South East Asia until that fateful day in 1815 when it violently erupted, blowing it’s own head off and reducing it’s height to it’s present more lowly 2.850 meters from sea levels. Some of the best waves in the world are to be had in the vicinity of Taliwang and Malok beach on the west coast and at Hu’u on the suth coast, South of Dompu.

Lombok and Sumbawa have coastlines lined with pristine beaches and fabulous waters for windsurfing, surfing, game fishing, and underwater activities. To South side has a South Coast of extinct volcanic peaks that plunge straight into the Indian Ocean. The islands have thankfully not yet leapt into our present day reality of traffic jams and smog. Traditional carts pulled by small ponies still seem to be the preffered method of transport. Even in streems beside the main street of Mataram, the provincial capital, we could find drivers washing their steeds in sparkling mountain streams. And also the Lombok is a small island slightly smaller than Bali with it’s white virgin Beaches, cool mountains, wide savannas and old aged tradition.  Lombok has a chain of volcanic mountains in the Northhern half of the island. Hindu is the religion embraced mostly by Balinese population groups live mainly in the Western part the island. Two thirds of the 3.6 million population live on Lombok which the indigenous people of Lombok are Sasak which predominantly Moslem. The Sasak’s people a group of indigenous people who inhabit various parts of the island, some of two still live a traditioanal lifestyle. In Western of Lombok, descendants of Balinese who sailed over the Lombok strait centuries ago, still reside. On Lombok the influence of Javanese, Hindu and Moslem cultures could clearly be noted in the traditions of the society.

On Sumbawa, the two prominent ethnic groups are the samawa who mainly reside in the Sumbawa district (East) and the Mbojo who live in the Bima and Dompu districts (West). These groups both share a beliefe in Moslem, but are differentiated by their local languages, customs and traditions. Also Hindu, Moslem and Christian influences are clearly reflected in the architecture of Lombok’s pictureque landscape but nowhere more so than in it’s four-part capital, main city and former port. Despite the different regions and belief systems of this diverse populations, they live side by side in mutual respect and harmony. The diversity of peoples provide the region with a rich tapestry of dialect and diverse range of languages, traditional danse, music and rituals. Sumbawa’s influences seem to have come from migrating Moslems from South Sulawesi. Mataram  is the capital of the provincial government.

The island of Lombok in Indonesia is well known for it’s handicrafts and traditional craftwork, in particular pottery, basket-making, and weaving. The three villages of Banyumulek, Masbagik Timur, and Penujak represent the island’s major pottery producing areas. Here, where pottery making is their main source of income, the village women have been producing pottery since decline of the East Javanese Hindu Kingdom of Majapahit in the early part of 16^th century.Since 1988, the Lombok Crafts Project has been assisting the womwn potters of Banyumulek, Masbagik Timur, and Penujak, to improve their standard of living through technical and marketing assistance. This bilateral development project between the Governments of the Republic of Indonesia and New Zealand is suported by the Indonesian Department of Industry.in each of the three villages, the Project has funded the building of work shelters and showrooms.

In West Nusa Tenggara we could visit Maruya Floating Palace-Meruya Floating Hall, the main market Sweta, The Royal Kingly Garden of Narmada, Lingsar Temple, Gili Meno and Gili Air (we could swim, snorking, sunbathing), Lendang Bayur a typical morning market, Pusuk for a fresh air and beautiful view of the valley, Sukarara the handweaving village, Penujak Pottry village, Sengkol or Rambitan the traditional Sasak Village still retain it’s age old customs, Mataram, Ampenan, Cakranegara, Meru Temple, Pusuk Monkey forest for  beautiful view over the valley down to the western coastside of Lombok, Sendang Gile waterfall with backdrop view againts Mount Rinjani, Masbagik and Loyok as pottery village known for it’s bamboo handicrafts, Tanjung Luar the biggest fishermen’s village in Lombok.

Mataram & Cakranegara

Mataram in the capital of West Nusa Tenggara which has in the past decades joined with Ampenan, the port on Lombok Strait, and Cakranegara to become the province’s biggest urban complex.At around the beginning of the 18^th century, Mataram was the residence of the crown prince of Singasari, or Karang Asem in Southern Bali. The ruler himself had his seat in Cakranegara. The royal palace no longer exists, but many of the old temples and pleasure gardens are still there.

Lombok’s biggest Balinese temple is the Pura Meru in Cakranegara. Dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, it was built in 1720 and has three courtyards. Three Meru Pagoda, like place of worship, stand in a line from north to south in the innermost courtyad. The one on the north is dedicated to vishnu and has a roof with nine tiers. The central meru is dedicated to Shiva and has 11 tiers on it’s roof. The southern, most one is for Brahma and has a roof of seven tiers.Nearby is Taman Maruya. Once part of the royal palace, it has an artificial lake set in the middle of a park. A raisen walk leads from the side of the pond to a pavilion built in the middle of the lake.

Traditional Costumes

The traditional women dresses are Lamung from fine and thin linen materials, Tope Belo, kind of long lady's skirt, Tope Pene, short skirt which is used outside Tope Belo.

In their shoulders usually put laid aside Kida Sanging, and their hair adorned with Sua'.

The traditional men dresses are usually used for Semawa society wedding ceremony.

They wear Gadu dress, long frousers (saluar), Tope Pene, belts and slipped creese with Kida Sanging hilted.

Bima & The Royal Palace

Bima and The Royal Palace. The capital town of Bima regency and also the connecting port of eastern, central and western Indonesia. The restored former Sultan’s Palace containing historical items such as the royal crown, and kris with gem studded gold and ivory hilts, provides interest for tourists. The former palace in the town of Bima is about all that is left of the Bima sultanate. The building is now become a museum. Dara, a village two kilometers from the town of Bima in eastern Sumbawa, is believed to have been the seat of the ancient Bima Kingdom.

The Beaches

Good beaches are found among other places at Talolai and Hangawera, north of Bima, Lunyuk on the south coast of Sumbawa. The top now a big caldera with two colored lakes. From the rim of the crater, the view of rest of the island, the sea and Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok in the distance is breathaking. The mountain occupies almost the entire Sanggar peninsula.

Ampenan

Ampenan, the western end of the foursome, is a colorful old Harbor. It was once Lombok’s main port and a vital link in the famous spice route. Check out the Arab Quarters where the descendants of wandering narrow streets.

The objects of interests are:

West Nusa Tenggara Museum, Mayura Park, The Meru Temple, Narmada Park, Lingsar, Pura Lingsar, Suranadi, Pura Agung Mount Sari, Senggigi Beach, Senggigi Resort, The Gili Islands, Malimbu & Mangsit Beach, Pusuk, Gili Nangu, Gili Genting, Batu Bolong, Sire Beach, Mount Rinjani, Lake Segara Anak, Mount Pengsong, Bangko-Bangko, Bungin Island, The Central Lombok, Sukarara, Banyumulek, Masbagik Timur, Penujak, Kuta Beach, Seger Beach, Gerupuk Beach, A’a Beach, Mawuh Beach, Selong Belanak Beach, Sengkol & Pujut, Sade, Sengkol, Pujut & Rambitan, The Otak Kokok Gading, The Jeruk Manis Waterfall, The Loyok Central Handicrafs, The Tete Batu, Moyo Island, Sapit Village, Semalun Lawang, Biraq, Lenek, Pringgasela, The Sentani Wooden Doll, Dalam Loka, The Kaliantan Beach, Grave of Selaparang, Hu’u Beach, Sumbawa, Tepas, Maluk Beach, Lebung Taliwang, Poto Batu Beach, Semongkat, Dompu, Calabai, Doro Bata, Mount Tambora, Donggo Village, Mada Panga, Mount Sangiang, Sape, Raba Dompu, Mawo Maria.

For complete information you could have on the “Text Book Guiding To Indonesia” By F. I. Fatrick.

Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach, on the ruggedly beautiful South Coast. Lies the impressive white sandy expanse of Kuta Beach. Also known as Petri Nyale Beach, kuta on the South  coast of Central Lombok is one of the most scenic and unspoilt beaches in this part of Indonesia. From Kuta to Tanjung Aan, five kilometers away, it is unbroken stretch of clean white and bordering the Indian Ocean. At Kuta, where is save for bathing and swimming, further to the West are the suffers and windsurfing beaches. These beaches are  perfect places to wonder, at low tide, among a plethora of shells, coral and other marine life. Accomodation within the mid range bracket to luxurious is found here, many of which line the main beach.

And also the people of Lombok  call this pristine beach “Puteri Nyale”. Every year, on the 19^th day of the tenth month of the Sasak lunar calendar when the Nyale Fish come to the sea’s surface, Kuta Beach is the site of great festivites. And the Fishermen sail out to sea while young men and women gathered along the beach to join in the merry making tease each other and perhaps meet to build a more lasting relationship. Februay or March the “Bau Nyale” ceremony is held which local people join together at night to catch sea worms by torclight, while eerily singing “Pantun” a traditional poetry.

Kuta is a coast with both protected coves and others more exposed that are battered by the waves of the Indian Ocean. Here we could still walk on beaches of our own or wander at low tide among corals and a plethora of shells and other marine life. When the ocean swells that found the south coast hit on the submerged coral reefs of the more protected bays they well up and form pefect waves.