Jakarta, IO – The 2024 Bau Nyale tradition on Pantai Selatan, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) will be held on February 29 and March 1, 2024 based on the sangkap warige (deliberative meeting) among traditional, religious and local government leaders in Ende hamlet, Sengkol village on Sunday (14/1), per Kompas, Tue (16/1).
“Sangkep warige was attended by traditional leaders, cultural figures, religious figures, community leaders and government officials from across the region,” said the head of the committee Agus Fathurahman.
Bau Nyale is part of the iconic cultural traditions of the Pujut people. This tradition, which has been passed down from generation to generation, is carried out by passing on astronomical knowledge known as falaq.
“Academics from the Islamic State University (UIN) Mataram’s falaq department have been studying the Sasak people’s calendar system called Rowot,” he said.
The Bau Nyale Festival is celebrated by looking and hunting for wawo-type sea worms which are believed to be the incarnation of Princess Mandalika.
According to local legend, she is a very beautiful princess from Tunjung Beru Kingdom who had attracted many princes from other kingdoms to marry her.
Read: Getting To Know The Traditional Architecture Of Karo People
Due to the many suitors, her father held a contest where the winner would get the opportunity to marry her. However, since Mandalika didn’t want anyone to get hurt, she decided to throw herself into the sea. She then left a message to the people who missed her, saying she would reappear every year on the 20th day on the 10th month according to the Sasak calendar.
The festival, which is popular among tourists, is usually carried out on a beach in Pujut district, Central Lombok regency. Tens of thousands of people will descend on the beach and mingle with the locals to catch the sea worms. (un)