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Lombok General Information
Lombok
is an island in the West NUsa Tenggara Province (Nusa
Tenggara Barat) and its located between Bali and Sumbawa
island in the eastern part of Indonesia. Mataram is the
administrative capital and its the larger city on the
island and has about 2.500.000 in habitants. The
Population in Lombok is about 3 million, and majority
91% are Moslem. Hindus make up about 6% while Christians
and Buddhist about 3%.
Climate
The climate is perfect with
annual temperatures ranging between 21° C - 33° C. it has only
two seasons dry and Wet, Dry season from May to October and
Wet From November to April.
Geography
Lombok lies 8 degrees south of the equator and stretches some
80km east to west and about the same distance north to south.
It is dominated by the second highest mountain in Indonesia,
GUNUNG RINJANI, which soars to 3726m. It has a large caldera
with a Crater Lake, Segara Anak,
 600m
below the rim, and a new volcanic cone which has formed in the
center.
Rinjani last erupted in 1994, and evidence of this can be seen
in the fresh lava and yellow
sulfur around the inner cone. Central Lombok, to the south of
Rinjani, is similar to Bali with rich alluvial plains and
fields irrigated by water flowing from the mountains. In the
far south and east it is drier, with scrubby, barren hills.
This area gets little rain and often has droughts which can
last for months. In recent years, several dams have been
built, so the abundant rain-fall of the wet season can be
retained for irrigation throughout the year.
People and Religion
The native inhabitants of
Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara) followed a belief in animism. The Sasak are indigenous people in Lombok. Numbering about two million, they are thought to be descendents of a hill tribe in northern India and Myanmar (Burma). After the 16th century, Islam separated from Java and crossed the kingdoms to the Islands of Lombok and
Sumbawa. Nowadays almost 90% of
Lombok people are Muslim.
In the 17th century the Balinese came to the
west coast of
Lombok Island. Within several decades a kingdom was established, extending the territory of the kingdom of Karang Asem, East of Bali. The Hindu Religion began to settle up on that times. In the beginning of the 18th century, the Dutch colonized the eastern part of Indonesia, including lesser Sunda (Bali,
Lombok across to Timor). Belonging to the Dutch administration of the are they promoted Christian missions.
Religion
Lombok is often called the
‘island of a thousand mosques’. The original religion in
Lombok was called Boda. This is a religion where they
worshipped ancestors and believed in spiritual
communication. However, in the 14th century, king
Majapahit conquered Lombok and spread Hinduism and
Buddhism. In the 16th century Islam came to Lombok with
a group of people from Java led by Sunan Prapen. He
firstly Islamized the kings. This was the reason why
Islam spread so quickly in Lombok, because people listen
to the king.
The two highest classes in
Indonesia are Lalu and Raden. To indicate that you are
from one of these classes, you put an L or an R in front
of your name. You also have Baig, Lale and Dende, and
most of the inhabitants belong to Jajar Karang/Kaula.
This tradition stays stronger in the villages then in
the cities.
It is allowed to marry
between the different classes, but the one with highest
class moves down socially. Islam does not really have a
social stratification system. This system in Lombok is
an old tradition from the Hindu community, which is
mixed with religion. Islam in Lombok has kept quite a
bit of the traditions from Hindu time, an example is
that the man chooses whom he wants to marry. The man’s
parents ask the female’s parents if he can marry her.
The female has not any impact on this decision. But they
also have the typical Muslim traditions as circumcising,
and maulid, the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s
birthday. Before Islam came to Lombok, the
island was divided into many small kingdoms. The two biggest
were Salapara and Bayern. But there is no written history
before Islam came to Lombok. The Lalu and the Raden are
originally from the kings. The dominating ethnic group in
Lombok is Sasak. To be a Sasak, you also have to be a Muslim.
A Hindu in Lombok is called Bali, which shows that the name of
an island or an ethnic group also indicates the religion.
 Money and Local
Currencies
When changing money there are many money changers in
Lombok. The best rates are usually in Senggigi.
Money changers prefer new, clean large bills and
will accept smaller denominations at a lower rate.
If you have traveler’s checks the rate will be
less than bank notes. Be sure to count your money before you leave money
changers. You can also check local banks but the
rate is slightly lower than outside. Re-count the
money in front of the money changer reception is a must, as usually there's a quick
tricky way how they can steal your money. A suggestion when changing money. If you plan on making
small purchases be sure to carry small denominations
with you because many sellers do not have change. The
Rupiah come in denominations of 100.000, 50.000, 10.000,
5.000, 1.000, 500, and 100.
Lombok Vehicles Rental
Don't miss Lombok's beautiful scenery. If you choose to
rent a car or motorcycles and drive yourself, you must have an
International Driving License. Renting a car is a good alternative to get around
Lombok, either self driving or with driver so you can relax and
enjoy the view. (Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for
lunch or dinner). If you are pleased with service, tip ( Rp. 30,000 minimum).
If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are
responsible for all cost.
Motorcycles are a convenient and inexpensive way to get
around the
Island, but Tourists are frequently injured in motorbike accident.
If you rent a bike, drive slowly and very defensively. Helmets are
required by law but those provided by rental agencies offer little
protection.
Business Hours
Indonesian work in the morning to avoid the heat of the
day. If you need to visit a government office, arrive between
08 AM and 11:30 AM. This also apply to banks and private businesses.
Government offices close early on Fridays and Saturdays. Generally
offices are open 07:30AM - 3 PM Monday - Thursday, 07:00AM - noon on
Friday, banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Please be advice
about our time zone Lombok is GMT + 8.
Cell Phone
Cellular phone in
Indonesia is GSM. If you have brought your cellular hand phone, you
can purchase prepaid calling cards to make outgoing calls at lower
cost than calling on your home SIM. Shops which sell the sim cards
are prolific. Major service providers are: Telkomsel, Satelindo and
XL Ritel. Look for signs and banners with those markings.
Health and Medical Info
Most hotels have on call doctors. For what it is known by
Australian as "Bali Belly", Lomotil and Imodium eliminate Symptoms,
but not infections. A fever along with the symptoms requires doctor
prescribed antibiotics. Drink as much as liquid as possible. For
discomfort, diarrhea, and cramping, drink strong, hot tea; avoid
fruits and spicy food. Drink only bottled water or boiled water (air
putih).
Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except
at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe. Protect
yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat.
Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia.
Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world.
Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at
pharmacies.
THINGS TO TAKE BACK HOME
Wanting to take back something from Lombok?
Lombok has great woven textiles like Songkets and
Ikats that can be
used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design
woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the
generations before. There is a traditional hand weaving village in
Puyung, central Lombok. You can even try on a traditional Sasak
costume.
Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central
Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are famous villages in Lombok for
making pottery. Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped
throughout the world. There is a wide range of selections and it can
custom made to your liking. We hope to develop the economy of the
area by directly meet them with serious buyer from all over the
world. There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back
as a souvenir i.e.; wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass,
wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from
bamboo or rattan.
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