Bau Nyale Festival,A Tradition of Harmony and Community Attraction in Lombok

Bau Nyale Festival, A Tradition of Harmony and Community Attraction in Lombok

LOMBOK, NTB – ASWINNEWS.COM – The Bau Nyale Festival is an annual tradition of the Sasak tribe in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. This festival is held to catch Nyale, a type of sea worm (polychaeta) that appears in the southern coastal waters of Lombok.

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, H. Sujaya from Aswinnews.com interviewed H. Muhammad Fajar Taufik, M.Ed., a community leader from West Lombok who previously served as the Head of the Tourism Office of West Lombok Regency. He explained that Nyale are marine creatures originating from the Indian Ocean. These creatures gather in clusters, forming balls, and are washed ashore on Lombok’s southern coast, creating a colorful spectacle visible in the crystal-clear waters.

“The local community catches these Nyale and processes them into a favorite dish, such as pepes nyale, which is very delicious and nutritious,” he stated.

According to research conducted by Dra. Dwi Soelistya Dyah, M.Kes., and Drs. Zainul Muttaqim from the University of Mataram, Nyale contains high protein levels, has antimicrobial properties, and can indicate seawater quality. In fact, the protein content in Nyale is twice as high as that in broiler chicken.

The Legend of Princess Mandalika
The festival is rooted in the legend of Princess Mandalika, a princess who chose to transform into Nyale to preserve peace and unity among her people.

Main Activities in the Bau Nyale Festival:

1. Catching Nyale: This is the festival’s highlight, where participants gather at beaches like Seger, Bumbang, Selong Belanak, and Kuta in the early morning to catch Nyale by hand.


2. Cultural Performances: The festival features theater narrating the legend of Princess Mandalika, traditional music, dances, and art forms like Peresean (traditional stick fighting).


3. Princess Mandalika Competition: A symbolic selection of Princess Mandalika is one of the festival’s main attractions.


4. Traditional Cuisine: Nyale is often processed into unique dishes believed to bring good fortune to those who consume them.


5. Festival Timing: It typically occurs in February or March, depending on the Sasak calendar and natural conditions like the lunar phase.


6. Main Location: Seger Beach, though other beaches like Mawun and Kuta also participate in the celebration.


7. Meaning: Bau Nyale not only celebrates the Sasak cultural heritage but also unites the local community and introduces Lombok’s rich traditions to the international stage.



H. Sujaya
Editorial Board