Bau Nyale Festival in Lombok Island - Indonesia

Central Lombok regency is one of the Level II in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. In this area there is a coastal tourist area is very interesting and visited by tourists, both local tourists and foreign tourists. Seger Beach area is Kuta, situated on the southern island of Lombok, about 65 kilometers from the city of Mataram.

The beauty of this beach makes the tourists become fascinated watching its natural views. The water was clear and quiet make this beach ideal for swimming. Besides its natural beauty, Seger Kuta Beach also has another attraction that is no less exotic for tourists.
Every once a year, between February and March, in this place held a party or a ceremony known as Bau Nyale. The word comes from Sasak language (Lombok Island native tribes), Bau which means is catch, while Nyale word means a type of marine worms that live in holes in the rock below sea level. Bau Nyale festival is an event and tradition of the legendary and has a high sacred value for Sasak tribe, the tribe native to the island of Lombok. The existence of Bau Nyale festival is closely related to a folklore that flourished in Central Lombok district of Princess Mandalika.

In ancient times, on the southern coast of Lombok Island, stood the royal Tonjang Beru. The kingdom was ruled by King Tonjang Beru empress, goddess Seranting. Tonjang Beru is a wise and prudent king. All people live prosperous, secure and tranquil. King Tonjang Beru have a beautiful daughter, intelligent and wise, his name is Princess Mandalika.

This princess sacrifice her soul for the kingdom. In addition to the beautiful and intelligent, also known as Princess Mandalika friendly and polite. Said the language is very soft. All the people are very fond of her. Beauty and elegance attitude Mandalika Princess was already well known to many lands. The prince of the kingdom have also heard the news. Any prince who saw the beauty and elegance of Princess Mandalika immediately fell inlove. Therefore, many princes came to apply for Princess Mandalika. Surprisingly none of the rejected application Mandalika Princess. However, the princes could not accept the wife of Prince Mandalika many princes. So they agreed to try his fortune through warfare. Who would win in a battle right to marry Princess Mandalika.

One day, news of impending war to the King Tonjang Beru.

The King immediately summoned his daughter to discuss the issue. Because he felt the war was going to happen due to his receiving all applications, Princess Mandalika also intends to solve this problem by selecting one of the prince. However, the intention that she abort after thinking about risk. If he chooses one among several prince as her husband, prince of course others will feel jealous.

This certainlywill lead to bloodshed. Because there was no other choice, Princess Mandalika had decided to sacrifice the soul. His commitment can not be changed. He gave up his soul for the sake of avoiding war that will take more casualties.

However, before carrying out his intention, Princess Mandalika must do meditation first. In meditation, he got wangsit (a kind of clue fom the Gods) to invite all the princes in attendance at day 20, month 10 (Sasak calendar), located in Kuta Beach Seger, Central Lombok. All the prince who was invited to be accompanied by all his people. They should come to that place before the sun emits light in the eastern horizon.

The appointed day arrived. Behold, the very interesting scenery. The attendees of the various countries in droves to come to the beach of Kuta Seger. Seger Kuta Beach is mobbed like sugar ants. In fact, many invitations which came two days before the day appointed Princess Mandalika. Starting from children to grandparents came upon the invitation of the place. Apparently they are not impatient to see how the PrincessMandalika choices.

Before long, Mandalika Princess arrived at the site by using a stretcher covered with gold. All invitations simultaneously pay homage to Princess Mandalika who was accompanied by father and mother and guardian of the kingdom.

Not long after, Princess Mandalika step several times, then stopped at the pile of stone, his back to the open sea. In the place he stood, Princess Mandalika spread his views to the entire invitation. The curiosity of the audience rising. They are growing impatient to listen to the word Princess Mandalika mention one of the names prince is in place as the choice.

After his gaze evenly in the direction of the invitation, Princess Mandalika also announced his decision in a loud voice, "Ooo, Father and Mother and all the princes and peoples of the Tonjang Beru that I love! After I consider carefully, I decided that I am to you all. I can not choose one among many princes. My self have been destined to become Nyale (a type of marine worms) which you can enjoy together. "

Having heard the Princess's decision, the audience gasped in surprise, including her father and mother, the Princess's sudden plunge into the sea and swallowed by the waves directly.

Along with that, the wind blowing hard, lightning and thunder was booming. The atmosphere at the beach was a mess. Voice heard screams everywhere. Occasionally a voice for help. However, the atmosphere took place not to long. The atmosphere relaxed. The attendees quickly find the Princess Mandalika in place collapsed. But there is no sign of the Princess Mandalika. He disappeared without leaving a trace.

Shortly there after, small animals whose numbers appear very much from the sea bed. Worm-shaped marine animals that have a very beautiful color, a mix of white, black, green, yellow and brown. The animal called Nyale. All the people who believed Nyale is Mandalika Princess incarnation.

In accordance message the Princess, they were rollicking and are competing to take the animal to be enjoyed as much as a sign of love for the Princess.

The story of the people above are exemplary stories containing moral values that can be used as guidance in daily life. One of the moral values that are very prominent in the story above is the nature of sacrifice. This property is reflected on the nature Mandalika Princess when she sacrificed body and soul for the sake of avoiding war among several kingdoms.

Until now, local people held a Nyale Festival smell every once a year, between February and March. Central Lombok regency administration to make this Nyale Festival as cultural assets that its implementation has been a choir event of national cultural activities.

This tradition festival inherited Nyale hereditary by this Sasak tribe had existed prior to the 16th century AD. At the time of the event will be held Nyale Festival, since local afternoon rollicking catch Nyale the South coast of Lombok island, especially in Kuta Beach Seger, District Pujut, Central Lombok.
According to public confidence in Sasak, marine annelids which is often called Palolo worm (Eunice Fucata) can bring prosperity and safety, particularly for the fertility of agricultural land to produce a satisfactory crop. Nyale they've caught on the beach, they usually spread into paddy fields for fertility. In addition, these Nyale they use for various purposes such as meals (Emping Nyale), side dishes, and other powerful drugs yanga magical in accordance with their respective beliefs.

Scientifically, worms Nyale ever studied contain animal protein is very high. Nyale may issue a substance that is proven to kill germs.