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114 Travel | Mandalika
1
White sand and clear ocean at the famous Gerupuk
outside surfing point, also known as Ebuak Bay.
Local legends abound in the province of Kuta Lombok,
the most popular of which tells the story of a great peacemaker, 1
a beautiful princess named Mandalika, who sacrificed herself
for her people and to this day is celebrated in one of
the most unique annual festivals on Earth.
As the legend goes, many princes wished for Princess Mandalika’s memory is honoured
Mandalika’s hand in marriage, so her father, each February during the Bau Nyale festival,
King Kuripan, announced that there was to when the rare nyale – a type of sea worm
be an archery competition, with the best and Lombok delicacy – washes up in the
marksman winning her hand. Such was her shallows. Locals gather at Seger beach to
beauty that a great fight broke out among her gather the delectable delights believed to
suitors, plunging the region into turmoil. bring long life, peace and happiness. Bau
means ‘to catch’, and, of course, this annual
Unable to stand the sight of disharmony festival occurs around the 20 day of
th
among her people, Mandalika chose instead the 10 month in the Sasak calendar.
th
to swim far out to sea, promising to return
on the 20 day of the 10 month in the Sasak And from any visit to this charming,
th
th
calendar. The fighting stopped immediately, picturesque region of Kuta Lombok, one
and a great lesson in humility was learned, is inclined to believe the legend is true.
one that has been passed down through the 1 Local kids swimming at Serangan beach, Central Lombok.
generations and is evident in the demeanour From its stunning beaches to its verdant
of the people of Lombok to this day. hills, from dreamy bays to private coves 2 Buffaloes marching home on Mawun beach.
1
White sand and clear ocean at the famous Gerupuk
outside surfing point, also known as Ebuak Bay.
Local legends abound in the province of Kuta Lombok,
the most popular of which tells the story of a great peacemaker, 1
a beautiful princess named Mandalika, who sacrificed herself
for her people and to this day is celebrated in one of
the most unique annual festivals on Earth.
As the legend goes, many princes wished for Princess Mandalika’s memory is honoured
Mandalika’s hand in marriage, so her father, each February during the Bau Nyale festival,
King Kuripan, announced that there was to when the rare nyale – a type of sea worm
be an archery competition, with the best and Lombok delicacy – washes up in the
marksman winning her hand. Such was her shallows. Locals gather at Seger beach to
beauty that a great fight broke out among her gather the delectable delights believed to
suitors, plunging the region into turmoil. bring long life, peace and happiness. Bau
means ‘to catch’, and, of course, this annual
Unable to stand the sight of disharmony festival occurs around the 20 day of
th
among her people, Mandalika chose instead the 10 month in the Sasak calendar.
th
to swim far out to sea, promising to return
on the 20 day of the 10 month in the Sasak And from any visit to this charming,
th
th
calendar. The fighting stopped immediately, picturesque region of Kuta Lombok, one
and a great lesson in humility was learned, is inclined to believe the legend is true.
one that has been passed down through the 1 Local kids swimming at Serangan beach, Central Lombok.
generations and is evident in the demeanour From its stunning beaches to its verdant
of the people of Lombok to this day. hills, from dreamy bays to private coves 2 Buffaloes marching home on Mawun beach.
