Combining the ‘Bau Nyale’ tradition with the development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone

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PRAYA, CENTRAL LOMBOK (ANTARA) – “Bau Nyale” or catching sea worms is an annual traditional activity held by local communities around Seger Beach or Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province.

During the event, thousands of people head to the beach to catch worms, which are believed to be the embodiment of Princess Mandalika, who was known for her purity of heart and willingness to sacrifice for the welfare of the community.

Legend has it that the kings wanted to marry Princess Mandalika, but she couldn’t choose anyone, so she jumped into the sea to avoid bloodshed.

It is believed that she jumped from the waters south of central Lombok, specifically from Seger Beach.

It is said that before disappearing beneath the waves, Princess Mandalika said she would emerge on the 20th day of the 10th month of the Sasak calendar. On this day, millions of insects will float to the surface of the water. People believe that they are the reincarnation of the princess.

To this day, the phenomenon is still included in the Central Lombok District Government’s tourism activity calendar.

This year’s Bau Nyale Festival was held on February 29 and March 1. The event has been a tradition of the Sasak people of Lombok since ancient times.

Bau Nyale tradition is a daily activity for the people of Lombok. The legend of Putri Mandalika is supported every year by the central government, NTB Province and Central Lombok District Government. It is expected to increase tourist visits and become a highlight of the development of Mandalika Special Economic Zone.

As times change, technology advances in the digital age, and Central Lombok’s rapid development, residents remain keen to preserve this cultural activity.

The government also organizes entertainment programs, invites national celebrities and holds ceremonies during the event, and then thousands of people flock to the sea to catch insects before sunrise.

This year’s event is expected to attract millennials and help preserve Sasak culture. It is also expected to increase tourist visits so that the government can add more events before the peak Bau Nyale event.

Central Lombok regional tourism director Lalu Sungkul said many people were still interested in the Bau Nyale tradition and that the annual event was still popular even without the presence of celebrities.

The myth of eternal youth
Nyal is considered to be the incarnation of Princess Mandalika and is caught on the 20th day of the 10th month of the Sasak calendar or in February or March of the national calendar. Eating Nyal is believed to keep people young forever.

Today, people catch much less Nyalai than in the past.

The traditional leader of the Sasak tribe, Lalu Agus Fatulrahman, said that Nyal is expected to appear around the 20th day of the 10th month of the Sasak calendar. There are three reasons why Nyal sometimes does not appear or appears only in small quantities. One of the reasons is human activities.

To ensure that the next generation can also see Nyale, residents need to preserve the traditional customs passed down by their Sasak tribal ancestors.

This requires people to continue to care for and protect the ocean, which is a potential gift from God. If the marine environment (including mountains and trees) is destroyed, it will cause erosion and also hurt communities.

It may also trigger changes in sea water conditions, causing the Nyalai to leave their habitat or disappear. Therefore, it is imperative to preserve the traditions and customs of the Sasak people by protecting nature.

Another reason that has led to the disappearance of Nyale is hunting. In order to protect its population, the community, including the millennials, need to maintain the Bau Nyale tradition as per the Sasak tradition.

Preserving this culture is a shared task, one in which the next generation must participate.

The Bau Nyale tradition begins with Sangkep Wariga, a meeting of traditional leaders to determine an auspicious day for Nyale to emerge and be captured by the community.

timing
Although Bau Nyale is held every year, its schedule may vary. The main activities of Bau Nyale are determined by the Sangkep Warige.

Based on the results of the Sangkep Warige, this year’s Bau Nyale will be held on February 29 and March 1. Before the decision was made, a small-scale trial was conducted to gather ideas from traditional figures.

So, the Sankwarig tribe, in good conscience of solidarity with the Sasak people, decided to identify the peak of Bau Nyale so that Nyale could surface and be captured by the tribe.

The results of Sangkep Warige provided the basis for the local government to carry out the Bau Nyale activities.

Central Lombok deputy district chief HM Nursiah said the district government was grateful to traditional leaders, religious leaders and youth leaders who formulated Sangkep Warige based on the findings of a study of natural signs.

The Bau Nyale event is expected to have an impact on economic growth and help increase tourism in Central Lombok.

The district government has therefore asked the community to work together to keep the environment and waters clean where Bau Nyale is held.

Tour Itinerary
In order to preserve the Bau Nyale tradition, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy incorporated the event into the “Karisma Event Nusantara” (KEN).

The Central Lombok regional government believes that support from the central government will help boost regional tourism.

The central government is providing assistance in the form of a programme of events, including the promotion of Bau Nyale across the country, to attract more tourists to Central Lombok.

The Baunyale event is usually part of the World Superbike (WSBK) series of events held at the Mandalika Track (NTB). This year’s Baunyale includes a series of events including the Peresean, Miss Mandalika event and the Mandalika Carnival, culminating in a celebration on the final night.

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