Yes, according to tradition, a man in Lombok must first “kidnap” his bride-to-be to get the blessing for marriage. But don’t worry; the kidnapping is planned together, so there are no surprises. Meanwhile, for the woman, there’s an initial “test”—she must be able to weave first before getting married. This is manual weaving, and completing even one piece of cloth can take a long time.
Imagine the romance of this unique tradition! Inspired by the charm of bride-kidnapping, let’s explore some tourist villages in Central Lombok that are perfect for visiting with a loved one. Here are three villages with unique charms that will add color to your adventure.
Learning the Sasak Culture in Sengkol Tourism Village
Visiting the Ende Traditional Village in Sengkol Tourism Village, Central Lombok, is delightful, accompanied by a guide who shares fascinating stories about the traditions of the Sasak people. From the bride-kidnapping ritual to the use of buffalo dung as an adhesive for floors or walls of traditional houses.
This village is strategically located along the main road, with a slightly hilly landscape and traditional Sasak houses with thatched roofs. The village is still home to indigenous residents who preserve their customs, including performing the Kendang Belik dance to welcome guests.
The men mostly wear sarongs, while the women wear ‘godeg nukik’ blouses and black skirts. Everyone is friendly; even the grandmothers happily pose for photos with visitors, showing off their betel-stained smiles.
Then there’s Yoga, who has been guiding tourists since 2016. He’s patient in demonstrating how to wear traditional attire and explaining the different motifs, like the “kembang komak” sarong for men and “kemalu gapit” for women. Yoga sometimes playfully teases visitors who bump their heads on the low doorways of the Sasak houses. “If you hit your head, it means you’re not showing enough respect,” he jokes with a laugh.
Natural Tourism at Mount Tunak Nature Park, Mertak Tourism Village
Located atop the mountains, this facility is a community-based ecotourism management center developed in partnership between Indonesia and South Korea. It offers a range of attractions, including deer breeding, lodging, and a cafe-restaurant.
The view of the ocean, small islands, and hills from the restaurant area is breathtaking. You’ll love spending time sipping coffee or enjoying the scenery from the pool area.
Ainun, a Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate from Bali State Polytechnic who works there, highlights the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings as the main attractions of Mount Tunak Nature Park. “The best healing spot, with the most scenic view in Lombok, complete with a nature park,” she says confidently.
The park spans about 1,000 hectares, with 1 hectare designated as a breeding ground for deer before they’re released into the wild. Reges, a caretaker for the deer and the pen’s cleanliness, explains that every morning, the deer are fed bran, followed by leaves in the afternoon and evening. “The most aggressive one is Chris John. Because of him, many other deer get injured,” he jokes, pointing to a male deer who indeed looks rather tough.
Enjoying the Beaches in Mekarsari Tourism Village
Blessed with a long coastline and unique beauty at every corner, Mekarsari Tourism Village offers various stunning beaches. There’s Tampah and Lancing Beach with white sand, or Jagog and Baru Bereng Beach with coral rocks. Visitors can choose whichever beach they prefer.
Tampah and Lancing Beach are relatively easy to access, complete with seating areas for relaxation and wooden stalls selling food and fresh young coconuts. You might want to try the unique octopus rendang at Warung Menange on Lancing Beach, a dish prepared by Ari and priced at Rp35,000 per portion.
These beaches are equally captivating when viewed from the green hills surrounding the village. You can relax here until the end of the day.
Residents and tourism operators in Lombok are working swiftly to develop every potential they have, to attract tourists and make visits more memorable. Lombok has more to offer than just beach tourism. With initiatives like the 5.0 Tourism Awareness Socialization, these exciting destinations in Lombok are becoming more diverse, bringing economic benefits to the local community.
Let’s explore more within #OnlyinIndonesia!
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