Sasak Village Adds Ancient Customs to Lebaran

Bayan villagers customarily practice a High Idul Fitri and a High Lebaran, in support of general Islamic celebrations which occur worldwide and also to preserve age-old regional customs brought to North Lombok 500 years ago by Sunan Prapen, the grandson of Sunan Giri, a Saint from the island of Java.

One customary leader of Bayan’s Karang Salah community explained that Bayan’s indigenous celebration of Eid, the Idul Fitri feast of victory and thanks to Allah after the Ramadhan month of fasting and abstinence, occurs three days after the general Idul Fitri festival which this year was on September 10.

“In our traditional Sasak village of Bayan, our indigenous High Lebaran is conducted to support and strengthen Idul Fitri and Lebaran,” he said. The indigenous celebrations at Bayan, on the slopes of Mount Rinjani, take place within the homes of customary village leaders and at the Bayan Beleq ancient mosque where specially-prepared Lebaran food known as Serah Ancak is offered for prayers by indigenous and religious leaders.

To prepare the food, village men and women volunteer to provide the ingredients and work together in a common area, or Bale Beleq, to cook rice and dishes of vegetables, fish, chicken, goat and satay. The food, presented in rectangular bamboo dishes covered with banana leaves, is taken in the evening to Bayan Beleq Mosque by dozens of men representing all communities within Bayan village.

The bare-chested men, wearing sarongs and headbands (udeng), present the food to 44 Bayan religious and indigenous leaders who all wear white headbands. After the leaders have prayed and eaten, remaining food is returned to the villagers who share it with their relatives in the belief it will inspire them with the desire to succeed. Prior to celebrating their indigenous High Lebaran, Bayan villagers practice a tradition named Mengolam Mengosap in which they visit and clean the graves of the founders of Islam in the area. Bayan villagers honour their ancestors and Islam by cleaning graves in the Bayan Beleq Mosque area and at a public cemetery.

That evening, the 44 leaders engage in customary practices in which donations are made to the area’s underprivileged people. The next day, the leaders attend Bayan Beleq Mosque for Idul Fitri prayers. While the indigenous Bayan communities engage fully in general Islamic practices, their attention to High Idul Fitri and High Lebaran will help preserve the region’s ancient customs and enhance the rich cultural diversity of West Nusa Tenggara.