Traditional Ritual

'Bau Nyale' - Getting the Princess's Blessing

VIVAnews - Saturday afternoon, 14 February 2009, thousands of people crowded the Selong Belanak beach in West Praya subdistrict. They came by public transportation, motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks and other means of transportation. They were all heading the same direction: the beach.

Were they celebrating Valentine's Day? Apparently, the Lombok people did not celebrate the lovers' day commemorated by virtually the rest of the world. They have their own tradition called "Bau Nyale" or catching Nyale, a kind of sea worm (Polycaetae).

This year "Bau Nyale" fell on 15 February. The date fell on the twentieth of the tenth month of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Sasak people's year. The tradition to catch Nyale in Lombok society especially Central Lombok, has always been done on the twentieth of the tenth month. The month is marked by the rise of the Rowot star (Pleades) which is close to the Orion constellation.  

"Bau Nyale" can only be done before the sun rises. So, it was predictable that thousands of Sasak people had gathered on at least four spots on Central Lombok beaches like in Selong Belanak, Tampak, Mawun, and Seger beach.

The numbers increased as the night grew and added the intensity of the celebration. It is estimated that there were almost thirty thousand people gathered on the roads to the beaches. Old and young, of all professions, flooded the hills around the beaches.



Lombok people believe that Nyale is actually an incarnation of a princess from the Seger kingdom named Putri Sarah Wulan. Fulfilling the meaning of her name, the light of beauty, she was famous of her beauty. She was the daughter of the Seg King and a queen named Lele Bulu Kuning or Lining Kuning.

The legend of Nyale started from the love affairs between Sarah Wulan and three princes: Arya Rembitan, Arya Bumbang, and a Johor prince. These princes were in love with the princess and came to propose to her.

The proposals were accepted by the princess and her family. But the princess were confused over that decision afterwards. If she accepted one of the proposals, she would create a commotion in the palace.

Later the princess became ill because of the pressure. According to the legend, when she was ill, there was a muse telling her to gather the princes and people to hear the Princess' decision.

On the twentieth of the tenth month, Sarah Wulan decided to drown herself into the sea. She thought that if she accepted one, she would cause disaster to her people.

She was named Putri Mandalika, the princess that was trapped in uncertainty, from the word Manda for uncertain and Lika which means action.

But before drowning herself, she said that she would come again on the twentieth of the tenth month on Sasak's calendar for every good person. Along with her disappearance, the sea worms appeared later known as Nyale.

Based on the legend, the people perform the Bau Nyale ceremony. The people believe that Nyale will bring prosperity and abundant harvests. The more Nyale they get, the more prosper their lives would be. 



Valentine's night was getting late. On the honorary tribune at the center of Bau Nyale 2009 celebration sat the deputy governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Badrul Munir, Central Lombok Regent, Lalu Wiratmaja, and several high-ranking officials from the province. There deputy governor also invited delegation from Singapore and even the Karangasem King from Bali was present in the event.

"Bau Nyale is not only for NTB's people. This event has been giving many contributions especially for attracting foreign investors," said Lalu Wiratmaja.

Even though rain poured heavily after midnight, it did not stop the people from catching the Nyale on the break of dawn. The people believe that the Nyale needs to be collected before the sun rises and then placed in sea water because the Nyale will dissolve if put in fresh water. They also believe that the Nyale will disappear after the sun rises, so people were competing against time.

Nyale has a similar characteristic with worm and has various colors. Some are red, others are green, brown, or grey. They are very elastic and soft like noodles.

Some people sold their catch. They sold it for Rp. 10,000 (85 cents) per half a liter bottle of Nyale. The cooked ones can cost up to Rp. 25,000 (US$2.13) for each dish. One of the locals, Ruhiyat, said that since Nyale is considered rare, the price can be considered quite costly for some people who wish to buy it.

As the day was breaking into light, people gathered their catch and headed back home to enjoy their Nyale with their families.

KPU Tolak Tanggapi Tudingan Nepotisme Jokowi ke Prabowo-Gibran

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Coverage by: Edy Gustan | Mataram
Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman

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