Sasak Culture of Lombok

Representing 85% of Lombok people are part of the Sasak culture. And despite their proximity to Bali, they differ from the Balinese in various ways. First of all, there’s the matter of religion.

Long ago, Lombok’s religious mix comprised of Buddhism, Hinduism and animism (a belief that objects, creatures and places all possess a particular spiritual essence).

Rich cultural heritage of the Sasak

When Islam came to the island, the local religion transformed into Wetu Telu (“three times”) religion. Three times refers to the number of daily prayers a worshipper must complete.

They pray three times a day as the Balinese. However, some Sasak people follow Wetu Lima (“five times”) religions, thus praying as the Muslims do. In fact, the Sasak are mainly Muslim, while Balinese folks are predominantly Hindu.

The Sasak people have gamelan (metallophone) orchestras similar to those you can find in Bali. They play music for many traditional dances. Another kind of orchestra plays gamelan granting, a sort of bamboo xylophone.

Poetry also combines both religious traditions. Recited with musical accompaniment, poems and stories are told using the medium of dance. One such tale is the tari oncer, where two drummers play interlocking rhythms, striking dramatic poses (the batek baris).

This imitates a Dutch military parade coupled with female telek dancers who play the roles of kings, ministers, and soldiers. Or the barong tengkok, where men inside a mythical lion play kettle gongs. In the pepakon, a trance-like dance is performed to cure the ill, whilst in the gandrung, a single female dancer invites men from the audience to dance with her.

Fishermen, farmers and craftsmen

Weaving is the traditional craft of the Sasak people. Women who could weave well once had better marriage prospects, so girls began weaving as young as seven. The most popular hand-woven clothes are Ikat and Songket, which are different types of woven fabrics.

Farming is another essential work here, with rice, soybeans, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and much more making up the main crops on the island. Since Lombok relies very much on its rice, many folks work in the rice fields.

There is a vast gender gap in the Sasak culture

Whether in terms of income, education or healthcare, women struggle much more here. Similarly, women rarely participate in political or economic life. In some villages, women can’t even inherit land. And so it is the same in family dynamics.

Man is considered the leader and thus makes all the important decisions while doing very little in the house. So little so that doing the dishes might be considered shameful for a Sasak man.

As the Sasak people switch from Wetu Telu to Wetu Lima, Hindu and animist rituals die out. But there is one enigmatic and entertaining tradition still left, known as Perang Topat, “the sticky rice war”.

This rather fun battle celebrates the harmony between Hindus and Muslims. The communities gather in Pura Lingsar, a large compound consisting of a Hindu temple and a Muslim temple.

They perform a Pujawali ritual first, followed by the food war, where both sides use cooked rice wrapped in coconut leaves as weapons. In the end, everyone can take the leftovers. It’s a beautiful symbol of two religions living peacefully in the same place, sharing food and land despite their differences.

The Sasak people are a unique blend of multiple cultures and religion

They coexist on the island, cultivating uncommon traditions, arts, and a way of life. Experience this unique culture yourself by visiting. Don’t worry about packing sticky rice bombs, though. You’ll be welcomed with open arms.

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This article was made possible in collaboration with Saifana Organic in northern Lombok.

Follow Saifana Organic Farm on Instagram: @saifanaorganicfarm