KUTE
MAP
Kute
Facts
 Kute,
also known as Putri Nyale Beach. Kute Beach on the South
Coast of Central Lombok is one of the most scenic and
unspoiled beaches in this part of Indonesia. Each year,
on the 19th day of the tenth month of the Sasak Lunar
calendar when the Nyale Fish come to the sea's surface,
Kute Beach is the site of great festivities.
Fisherman sail out to the sea while young men and women
gather along the beach to join in the marry making,
tease each other and perhaps meet to build a more lasting
relationship.
People Activities
The southern beach of Lombok, like Kute, Seger, Mawun,
Tanjung, Grupuk, and Kaliantan Beach, with the waves
that often hit the cliffs, appeared different on that
morning. Crowds of people visited the beach to conduct
the traditional Bau Nyale ceremony.
The Sasak tribe on Lombok Island mainly lives from farming,
and rigidly hold onto their customs, in particular those
that relate to the forces of nature that act upon life
and farming. Unfortunately however, sometimes nature
is not too friendly. Long draughts often upset the eco-system
on Lombok Island, in particular South Lombok. With the
result that rice fields dry out and harvests fail.
Since long before, agricultural fields on Lombok Island
largely depend on the rainfall. To capitalize on this,
much labor and time is needed. This tiring work certainly
requires intermezzos and entertainment, among others
by conducting the Bau Nyale ceremony (catching Nyale).
Nyale itself being a sea worm that lives only in rock
bestowed beaches, like along the southern beach of Lombok.
The purpose of the Nyale catching tradition being to
implant a solidarity amongst the people in realizing
unison and unity.
The locations that are much visited are the Pemongkong
Village at Kalianten Beach, in the Regency of East Lombok,
and Kute Village at Seger Beach, in the Regency of Central
Lombok. The ceremonies are held between the 19-20th
of the tenth month on the Sasak calendar, usually coinciding
with the month of February, and is marked by the emergence
of the star Rowat. |
