The Island of Lombok is Home to the Sasak Tribe

JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - One of the tribes that resides on the island of Lombok and speaks the Sasak language is the Sasak tribe. The majority of Sasak tribes are Muslim. Its extremely fervent religious tradition is what makes it distinct and remarkable. For them, prayer serves as a strong foundation, which the Sasak people must strengthen.

Because only a small percentage of the Sasak tribe practices Wetu Telu Islam, the Muslim community in Sasak differs from Muslim communities generally. Additionally, there are certain Sasak people known as Sasak Boda who adhere to pre-Islamic beliefs.

The Origins of Sasak

Sasak is derived from the term sak sak, which means one. Some Dayak tribes on the island of Borneo also say one with the term sak. The renowned Sasak people weave textiles. The tribe believes that if a woman is skilled at weaving, she can be considered an adult and suitable for marriage.

The word for weaving in Sasak is Ssk. The words ketak, sesek, and saksak are the roots of the term ssk. Once each thread has been inserted (sak sak), it is compressed or stifled to a tight state and solidified to produce fabric by striking the loom.

The loom was struck twice, making a singular sound that can only be described as a sak sak. That is where the word "sasak" came from, and it is from there that the tribe on the island of Lombok got its name.

The language of the day was Sasak, which was used by the Sasak people who first settled on the island of Lombok. The Sasak language is quite similar to the Tolaki spoken by the tribes of Southeast Sulawesi, Samawa, Bima, and even Sulawesi.

Etymology

Sasak\'s name likely derives from the term sak-sak, which signifies boat. The word Sasak is associated with Lombok Island, Lombok Sasak Mirah Adhi, according to the Kertagama Country Book. The word "sasak" is thought to have originated from the word "sa\'-saq," which meaning the one, according to local residents\' oral traditions.

However, Lombok, which meaning straight, is derived from Lomboq. Unlike the people of East Flores, Lombok is like chile. Sa\' Saq is a straight word in Lombok if concatenated. Many others interpret it as a straight path as well.

One of the chapters from Mpu Prapanca\'s book Kakawin Nagarakretagama (Desawarnana), which details the authority and administration of the Majapahit kingdom, is about Mirah Sasak Adi Lombok. In Kawi, the words "lombok" and "Mirah" both imply straight or honest, "sasak" signifies reality, and "adi" means the best or primary. Sincerity is a diamond of a good reality, Lombok Mirah Sasak Adi says.

Taking the Bride Hostage

The wedding reception is where the Sasak tribe\'s traditions are on display. A woman must be taken to the man\'s family home if she wishes to get married to him. This is referred to as kidnapping or merarik.

The process is straightforward enough that the idol girl doesn\'t need to inform her parents. The female is already married if you wish to get hitched. But remember the rules: it\'s customary to accompany family members or friends while kidnapping a woman and fleeing.

The family of the man who take part in the kidnapping also accompany the wedding procession. And the girl shouldn\'t be taken right to the man\'s home; rather, she should be left in the care of the man\'s family.

Redaq, the process of getting a woman\'s parents\' permission before marrying her, is more honorable than kidnapping a woman without their knowledge. However, redaq is much more uncommon among Sasak people, who prefer to abduct women to keep their weddings from being interfered with by undesirable factors like financial constraints or parental disapproval.

After a day of the lady being taken hostage, the male relatives sent a messenger to the woman\'s family to inform them that their daughter had been taken hostage and was now in a secure location that was kept hidden from the woman\'s family. The warning is given in the native language of Nyelabar by male relatives; however, the man\'s parents are not permitted to take part.

A nyelabar group must wear traditional clothing, and they usually consist of five members. The group cannot enter the woman\'s family house directly. As a mark of respect, the entourage must first approach Kliang or the local elders for their consent.

The group is not permitted to go inside the woman\'s home. In the front yard, they are seated cross-legged. The group\'s spokesperson and messenger will provide notice, and they have plans to wed the kidnapped female.