CALENDAR OF EVENTS, LOMBOK 2007

PATUT PATUH PATJU FESTIVAL 2007

The PATUT PATUH PATJU FESTIVAL is a festival promoting the culture of West Lombok. It portrays the daily life of the people that have continued from generation to generation and which still exist to this very day.

Through the PATUT PATUH PATJU FESTIVAL, the Goverment has been able to preserve the culture, which is held during the celebration of the birthday of the West Lombok Regency, by presenting some of the most important events including:

Pawai Ogoh-ogoh 2008

One day before the Hindu New Years, the Hindu people in Lombok have a Tawur Kesanga ritual which means to purify Buana Agung (Macro Cosmos) and Bhuana Alit (Micro Cosmos) as well as neutralize negative power from Bhuta Kalla. The Tawur Kesanga ritual is usually held in West Lombok and Mataram city during Tileming Sasih Kesanga. The Tawur Kesanga ritual usually begins with the Ogoh - ogoh Parade. An Ogoh - ogoh is a statue to visualize Bhuta Kalla. This statue is to give more focus to people throughout the Tawur Kesanga ritual. During the Ogoh - ogoh statue is spund around before being faced in the right direction. After that the statue is cremated to ensure that the bad spirit won't disturb the people again.

Malean Sampi, Tawak-tawak festival, Wayang Kulit Festival and Gendang Beleq Festival

Male'an Sampi Narmada 2008

Male'an Sampi is a highly exciting Lombok traditional that always has the power to draw a crowd. The event is actually a series of cattle races held on a waterlogged race-track 100 meters long. In the local Sasak language the meaning of Male'an Sampi can be divided into two word, Male'an meaning to chase and Sampi meaning cow. Male'an Sampi has long been a favorite pastime for farmers and cattle breeders in West Lombok. This event is usually held at the planting season when the farm is empty and the farmers and cattle breeders get together to stage the races.

Gendang Beleq Festival Senggigi 2008

The Gendang Beleq Dance is one of Lombok's most famous local dances. It is so named because the musicians beat a huge (beleq) drum (Gendang) that sets the well-de-fined 'Lombok' rhythm to which the dancers perform. In the olden days this dence was performed to say goodby to soldiers heading for the battle field and again when they were welcomed home. This dence with its distinct sound is now performed to welcome important guests.

Senggigi Festival 2007

Senggigi Festival is a week of cultural events to promote Lombok tourism, which will be held in the Senggigi Resort area and organised by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture of West Lombok. During this event, all the colour of Lombok's art and Culture are brought together in one central location so as to be easily experienced by all. Domestic and overseas guests are invited to join the events.

Cultural Parade Senggigi 2008

Cultural Parade is a spectacularly colourful and vibrant parade of marchers, dancers and local horse and buggies that shows off many of the hihglights of the local culture. The parade also showcases and is a perfect opportunity to promote tourism industry products.

Presean Senggigi 2008

A 'Fight' performance by two young men armed with rattan sticks and shields made of cowhide. This dance is a dance asking God to give rain for the next planting season. People believe that the more blood is shed on the soil from the fight, the more rain God will give. This dance is also meant to show how the fighters will show off their power to each other and sometimes magic will also have to be involved. The Pekembar or a judge determines if the fight should carry on, or who the winner is.

Painting Competition Senggigi 2008

This event is open for everyone, especially children. The object will be a Lombok tourism destination, which is well know to be the most beautiful in the area.

Sand Castle Building Competition Senggigi 2008

The sand castle competition is designed to encourage young artist to put their talent into sand.

Ngaturang Pekelam – Mt. Rinjani November 2008

The Balinese Hindu are have been in Lombok since even though they live in Lombok over generation they are still maintain their culture and tradition. On of the tradition is Ngaturang Pekelam at Lake Segara Anak, Mt. Rinjani. Pekelam means gives some offering to God like gold and buffalo heads as expression of gratitude to God for his blessing of everything in life. Thousand of pilgrimage will go up to Lake Segara Anak, some times pilgrimage as far as Bali will come to this event. Beautiful panorama of Mt. Rinjani will make them keep coming back every year.

Lebaran Topat Senggigi November 2008

Lebaran Topat is a cultural event relived to the Moslem religion in Lombok. Lebaran Topat as the tradition to celebrate Lebaran and recreation by bringing traditional food ‘’Topat’’ with variety of side dishes including vegetable, it’s held in the 7 day after Idul Fitri. Lebaran Topat is held particularly in the west Lombok, started to pray for happiness and prosperity in the mosque, musholla, family grave yard and followed by recreation a long the coast line, the traditional food (Topat) and variety of side dishes including vegetable dishes.

Perang Topat at Lingsar Park December 2008

Perang Topat (Rice Cake War) is a ritual ceremony which is performed as an expression of gratitude to God for his blessing of fertile soil plentiful agricultural produce. This event is performed in Lingsar Park by both Hindus and Sasaks, who throw rice cakes ‘’Topat’’ at each other. The show begin at 16.00 after Pedande Mapuja, when the Waru flowers fall (Rorok Kembang Waru). The ceremony is usually held every year at the time of sixth full moon (according to the Sasak calendar) some time in November or December. Topat is a platting of coconut leaves filled with rice and boiled.