A Lovely Day in the Charming Village of Sasak Sade

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Lombok Island is popular for its wonderful beaches, exotic gilis (smaller islands), and of course Mount Rinjani and its breathtaking crater. However, Lombok is also rich in cultural heritage. The Sasak Tribe who are the majority inhabitant of Lombok has lovely culture and you can see that in Sasak Sade Village.

Mother selling songket (traditional colorful fabric) in Sade Village on June 5, 2015 in Lombok. Sade village is famous for their beautiful cloth (c) Shutterstock
Mother selling songket (traditional colorful fabric) in Sade Village on June 5, 2015 in Lombok. Sade village is famous for their beautiful cloth (c) Shutterstock

Sasak Sade Village is easily distinguishable from other villages in Lombok because of its traditional houses. It’s not just the house, you can also admire all aspects of the villagers here, including their dance and unique clothes.

The Houses

Traditional design of the exterior of SASAK houses in Lombok Island, Indonesia. Frame and roof are made of wood, bamboo and straw leaves of coconut trees. (c) Shutterstock
Traditional design of the exterior of SASAK houses in Lombok Island, Indonesia. Frame and roof are made of wood, bamboo and straw leaves of coconut trees. (c) Shutterstock

The Traditional Sasak Sade Village is located in Pujut, Central Lombok, just a couple of minutes from the Lombok International Airport and Mandalika. The houses here are made from bamboo and thatched roof, making it a unique spectacle. Exploring through its tiny pathways between these old houses might invoke a nostalgic feeling to some people and you need about 30 minutes to explore all areas of this village.

The Peresean Fight

Peresean, a martial art and dance from the Sasak tribe in Lombok performed at the beach (c) Shutterstock
Peresean, a martial art and dance from the Sasak tribe in Lombok performed at the beach (c) Shutterstock

This show is not for the faint of heart. Peresean is a fight between two people (pepadus) who are armed with a baton and cowhide shield. They don’t intend to hurt each other, definitely, but they do swing their baton with all their might.

You can hear the thumping noise when the swing of the baton meets the shield. You might even feel the vibration in the air! There is a referee whose job is to stop the fight before the pepadu gets hurt.

Gendang Beleq

Gendang beleq of sasak performance at Dusun Sasak, Sade, Rembitan in Island Lombok. (c) Shutterstock
Gendang beleq of sasak performance at Dusun Sasak, Sade, Rembitan in Island Lombok. (c) Shutterstock

Gendang Beleq literally means big drum in Sasak Language. It is the main musical instrument that is accompanied by gongs and flute. Today, the energetic music of Gendang Beleq is used for greeting tourists and important guests. Originally, this drum was used as a war instrument. The generals use the war cry of Gendang Beleq to lead their army into the battle.

Amaq Tempengus Dance

Cupak Gerantang. via Instagram/
Cupak Gerantang. via Instagram/sahabatkotatua.id

Moving on from the warring origin of the culture, you can also see the Amaq Tempengus dance, sometimes also called Cupak Gerantang Dance. It’s basically a clown or jester dance. This dance was originally performed to cheer soldiers who were returning from a battle. The Amaq Tempengus dress and act foolishly, moving on from one viewer to another but all to the beat of Gendang Beleq troupe that play in the background.

Petuk Dance

Petuk Dancer. via Instagram/
Petuk Dancer. via Instagram/kounilakeo

Petuk dance is performed by kids, usually about ten years old. Still accompanied by Gendang Beleq, the dancer prances around to show his moves to the viewers. The dance is actually a traditional rite of passage for the boys in Sasak community.

Boys who are just circumcised watch this dance as a part of the ceremony. That’s why the dancer’s face is painted with moustache and other adulthood signs.

Traditional Weaving

Sasak old woman traditionally makes yarn with a spindle wheel at traditional Sasak village, Desa Sasak Sade, Lombok Indonesia. (c) Shutterstock
Sasak old woman traditionally makes yarn with a spindle wheel at traditional Sasak village, Desa Sasak Sade, Lombok Indonesia. (c) Shutterstock

Originally, Sasak Sade villagers are mainly farmers before the rise of tourism here. Today, they still do the farming activity but during the dry season, most of them focused on the tourism part.

Most women in this village now weave using traditional loom to make clothes like Ikat or Songket. You can see the process on how they make those clothes. The price range is IDR200,000 to IDR 500,000.

Men from the Sasak tribe in Lombok performing a traditional martial art and dance on the beach (c) Shutterstock
Men from the Sasak tribe in Lombok performing a traditional martial art and dance on the beach (c) Shutterstock

Sasak Sade Village is a complete package if you want to learn about Sasak culture. You will see the lovely life of an ancient village that survives the passing of times. Just make sure you don’t leave trash behind when visiting here.

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Lombok sasak sade
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