Arisarmu - Traditional villages have been enchanting many tourists as they are spared from modern development.
What is your expectation when you are visiting Lombok which is often called as a sister island of Bali? For foreign tourists, traveling to a tropical country like Indonesia may your dream to experience with different cultures, food as well as enjoy your leasure times by swimming, snorkeling, or just sunbathing on white sand beaches.
In the past, Lombok depended on Bali to develop their tourist industry. It means if Bali had been flooded by travelers, they would visit Lombok. So, being a second priority as a tourist destination wasn't a nice option because Lombok would always be in the shadow of Bali. However, since the Indonesian govenment built Lombok International Airport, tourist industry started growning rapidly and it's surely followed by other facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, new tourist destinations and many more.
As an archipelago country, Indonesia is rich in cultural diversity. I've ever read from someone's blog article that travel to Indonesia like you are in several countries. There are many different cultures to be offered in each region. One of the best way to experience a different culture is by visiting a traditional village. This what I did last year.
Traditional Sasak Village of Sade is nestled on 3 hectares land in Rembitan, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. It was my second tourist spot on that day after I had been Impressed at Ende Village, another traditional Sasak village which is very close from here.
After riding no more than 5 minutes, I finally arrived at Sade village. Actually, it did't include on my travel itinerary on that day. I just wanted to visit Kuta beach, but of course I was so lucky to find this unique Sasak village. According to some articles i've ever read, the village is one of the most popular among tourists.
Read: Visiting Kuta Beach in Lombok island
Read: Visiting Kuta Beach in Lombok island
There is no entrance fee to enter Sade village, but a local person approached me and offered as a tour guide. At the end of the tour I gave him IDR 60K (USD 4.25). His name's Juna, claimed to live in this village with his family. I needed to be active to get more information from him but he's a nice person.
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| Juna, my tour guide |
A traditional Sasak Village of Sade was built in 1902. There are 150 traditional houses, 150 families with approximately 700 people and this tribe get married among cousins. I was given a fantastic tour inside this traditional Sasak village and I was shown many homes with their weaving looms. Girls in Sasak should learn how to make traditional weaving in order to get husbands.
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| Traditional hand-woven fabric |
In Sade Village the building materials and the floors are made of cow dung. Actually I wasn't surprised as I had already seen it in Ende Village. The purpose is to chase away mosquitos and to avoid the floors to be dusty and cracked.
Read: The floors made of cow dung - visit unique Ende Village Lombok
Read: The floors made of cow dung - visit unique Ende Village Lombok
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| the buildings are made of cow dung |
Here visitors will see Bale Lumbung, a traditional building with four supporting poles to store rice which has been designed to prevent rats to climb up. It also symbolize the prosperity of Sasak tribe.
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| Bale Lumbung |
The tradition of kidnapping prior to marriage is still largely carried out by Sasak tribe, including those who live in Sade village. Before a man runs away his chosen girl, they both meet at Love Tree, then the girl will be hidden at his relative's home until her parents agree to let them get married.
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| Love Tree |
The girl's parents have no other option but to bless them. Finally they get married and spend their happy wedding night in a room. See the image below. It is an example of newly Sasak married couple's room. It's small and so simple whose walls made of woven bamboo.
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| A newly married couple's room |