The regional Department of Culture and Tourism has finally released its 2009 Calendar of Events for Lombok. Unfortunately, apart from being woefully late, there are a few inaccuracies in it, so I have created an updated Calendar of Events for Lombok to help visitors plan their holidays around the best events of the year.
Many of the events listed below are annual events, but the actual dates may change slightly according to Hindu and Sasak calendars, which differ from our Gregorian calendar. Many festivals take place according to planting or harvest seasons, or on particular lunar phases, such as the full moon. As near as possible, I have adjusted the dates to the moon phase for each event. Actual times and dates are usually published before the event at The Lombok Guide website: www.thelombokguide.com
As Lombok has a mixture of native Sasaks, Balinese, Bugis, Chinese and Arab residents with diverse religions such as Islam, Hindu, Buddhism, Christianity, Wetu Telu and animism – to name just a few – there are ceremonies and festivals going on at any time of the year. Add to these the major international events organised by The Lombok Hotels Association and the private sector, and you can be guaranteed of an interesting and rewarding trip to the island whenever you visit. Below are some of the major highlights on Lombok’s annual calendar for the remainder of this year:
20 & 21 June – Lombok International Dance Championships
Venue: Santosa Villas & Resort, Senggigi
A glittering international event featuring world class ballroom and Latin American dance performances by world champion dancers from around the world. Last year’s Championships featured Latin American dance masters, Evgeny Ryupin and Yana Pokrovskaya from Moscow, as well as 2008 World Championship Finalists, Roberto Villa and Morena Colagrego from Italy, as well as competitors from fifteen countries around the world. This is a unique opportunity to witness talented dancers compete at amateur and professional levels, culminating with the magnificent finals held in the ballroom of Santosa Resort. Registration and information: www.purimas-lombok.com/dance.htm or www.udsa.com.ua/files/docs/entry/2009/lombok09.doc
20–25 July – Senggigi Festival
Venue: Senggigi
The Senggigi Festival is a week of special cultural events and performances to showcase the best of Lombok and the region. Unique Lombok music, dance and drama performances are a feature of the Festival, as well as special guest appearances by artists from around Indonesia. The Festival begins with an exciting parade through the centre of Senggigi and there are free shows available on the main stage in Senggigi every night.
Stick Fighting Competitions
Venue: Senggigi
Held every afternoon in Senggigi during Senggigi Festival Week, Peresean, or stick fighting, is an exciting tradition that demonstrates masculinity and heroism amongst Sasak men. Contenders fight each other using solid sticks and try to fend off blows with shields made of toughened leather. It’s an exciting demonstration of ferocity and skill; with a referee on hand to make sure things don’t get too heated.
August – Traditional Horse Cart Competition
Venue: Mataram
The traditional horse cart, or cidomo, is very much in use in Lombok as part of daily life. The horse cart competition in Lombok is similar to horse shows held in the West, where the competition depends on the skill and presentation of both horse and rider. In this competition, the carts are colourfully decorated and points are awarded for dressage and equipment.
28 September – Lebaran Topat
Venue: Senggigi
Unique to Lombok, Lebaran Topat is an important cultural event for the island’s Moslems. Held on the seventh day after Idul Fitri, family and friends gather to pray together for happiness and prosperity. Afterwards they celebrate together by eating traditional “Topat”: rice wrapped in parcels of plaited coconut leaves and steamed, along with a variety of side dishes. Many people come to pray at the traditional graveyard at Batu Layar and the nearby beach just south of Senggigi is a popular place for picnics during the holiday.
17 & 18 October – Lombok International Triathlon
Venue: Senggigi
This is a world-class Triathlon event attracting competitors from around the world to compete in what is billed as the “toughest course in Asia”. The Emaar Lombok Triathlon consists of a 1.8 km swim, a 55 km bike ride and a 12 km run course, with the stunning landscape of Lombok as its backdrop. The 6km “Senggigi Run” is a fun run held the day before the Triathlon and is open to participants of all ages and nationalities. Registration and information: www.lomboktriathlon.com
3 November – Mulang Pekelem, Mt Rinjani
Venue: Senaru
Pekelem is a traditional event practiced since ancient times by the many Balinese Hindus living in Lombok. Every year on the full moon in either October or November, thousands of people will make the pilgrimage to Lake Segara Anak, in Mt Rinjani’s crater, to throw offerings of gold and other precious symbols into the waters as an expression of gratitude to the Gods and to ask for blessings. Pilgrims from all over Lombok and Bali gather at Senaru to make the trek up the mountain for this holy event.
1 December – Perang Topat
Venue: Lingsar
This ceremony is usually held every year at the time of the sixth full moon in the Sasak calendar (either November or December). Both Balinese Hindus and Muslim Sasaks come to Lingsar to pray for good crops, rain and fertility, before engaging in a mock war with each other. There is a colourful parade of offerings before the ritual, which takes place in the ancient temple at the complex. The actual “war” at the end of the ceremony involves participants throwing “topat”, (parcels of rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves) at each other, amid much good fun and frivolity.
