Lombok Calendar of Events
Many of events listed in this calendar are annual events, but actual dates may change according to Hindu and Sasak calendars, which differ each year. Many festivals take place according to planting or harvest seasons, or on particular lunar phases, such as the full moon. The Calendar of Events is available from the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, West Lombok.
29 March – Ogoh-ogoh Parade
Venue: Tanjung Gunung Sari, Mataram city.
The Ogoh-ogoh Parade is an important Hindu ritual that takes place one day before that Hindu New Year. In the weeks before that event, communities gather to construct and decorate huge and fantastic effigies of monsters, representing Bhuta kala, a negative force in the universe. During the event the statues are paraded through the streets to symbolize this evil spirit, before being burnt in a cremation ceremony, as part of a ritual cleansing in preparation for the New Year. Parades take place in west Lombok and Mataram.
15 April Male’an Sampi.
Venue: Dasan Geria Narmada
Male’an Sampi is an exciting Lombok tradition, usually held in the planting season. The actual event is a series of cattle races held on a waterlogged racetrack. It’s fun and interesting look at an authentic village event.
15-21 July Senggigi Festival
Venue: Senggigi
The Senggigi Festival is a week of special cultural events and performances to showcase the best of Lombok and the region. Unique Lombok Music, dance and drama performances are a feature of the Festival, as well as special guest appearances by artists from around Indonesia. The Festival begins with an exciting parade through the centre of Senggigi and there are free shows available on the main stage every night.
12-13 August English Speech Competition
Venue: Narmada
Part of the lead up to Indonesian Independence Day, this competition is designed to encourage students and the younger generation to speak English. Tourism and western visitors are welcome.
13 August – Painting Competition
Venue: Narmada
Also part of the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations, this competition is open to all ages, including children, and is designed to develop art appreciation. All are welcome.
18-20 August Stick Fighting Competition
Venue: Senggigi
Peresean, or stick fighting, ia an exciting tradition that demonstrates masculinity and heroism amongst Sasak men. Contenders fight each other using solid stick and try to fend off blows with shields made of toughened leather. It’s an exciting demonstration of ferocity and skill; with a referee on hand to make sure things don’t get too heated.
25-27 August Traditional Horse Card Competition
Venue: Lingkar Selatan
The traditional horse cart, or cidomo, is very much in use in Lombok as part of daily life. The horse cart competition in Lombok is similar to horse shows held in the West, where the competition depends on the skill and presentation of both horse and rider. In this competition, the carts are colorfully decorated and points are awarded for dressage and equipment.
31 October Lebaran Topat
Venue: Senggigi
Topat is an important cultural event for Lombok’s Moslems. Held on the seventh day after idul Fitri, Family and friends gather to pray together for happiness and prosperity. Afterwards the celebrate together by eating traditional “Topat”, rice wrapped in parcels of plaited coconut leaves and boiled, along with a variety of side dishes. The beach just south of Senggigi is a popular place for picnics and people from all around the island will come to celebrate there.
5 November Mulang Pekelem, Mt Rinjani
Venue: Senaru
Pekalem is a tradition practiced by the many
Balinese Hindus living in Lombok since incident times until now. Every year on
the full moon in either October or November, thousands of people will make the
pilgrimage to Lake Segara Anak, in Mt Rinjani’s crater, to throw offerings of
gold and other precious symbols into the waters as an expression of gratitude to
God and to ask for his blessing. Pilgrims from all over Lombok and Bali will
gather at Senaru to make the trek up the mountain for this holy event.
5 December Perang Topat
Venue: Lingsar
This ceremony is usually held every year at the time of the sixth full moon in the Sasak calendar (either November or December). Both Balinese Hindus and Sasaks come to Lingsar to pray for good crops, rain and fertility, before engaging in a mock war with each other. The actual “war” involves participants throwing “topat”, parcels of rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves and boiled at each other, amid much good fun and frivolity.
