Perang Topat: Rice Cake War, Indonesia

At this quirky harvest festival, the Hindu and Muslim residents of the island of Lombok, east of Bali, come together to pelt each other with boiled rice.

Photo © iStock/TkKurikawa

Location

Lingsar, Lombok, Indonesia

Dates

Sixth full moon in the Sasak calendar (November/December)

Description

The food fight takes a week of preparation. On the big day, the Sasak Wektu Telu community joins its Hindu neighbours at a singularly appropriately location, the Pura Lingsar. This 18th-century temple was built by Hindus, but the temple compound also contains the Kemaliq, a Muslim shrine.

On different sides of the temple, separated by a courtyard, the two groups perform a Pujawali ritual, which commemorates the temple’s anniversary and gives thanks for the harvest. The next stage of the day is Rorok Kembang Waru: the wilting of the Waru flowers, which bloom and die in a day. When the first flower falls, at about 4pm, the groups begin to shower each other with ketupat (sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves).

After the good-natured fight, in which head shots are frowned upon, some of the leftover ammo is distributed among the participants and spectators. The rest is buried in the fields, to ensure another season of healthy crops.

Level of Participation

2 – unity through rice adversity.

Essentials

Bring an umbrella, in case there are any really poor marksmen.

Other Local Attractions

Swat up on Lombok and neighbouring Sumbawa among the masks, daggers, basketware and cloth in Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat.

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3 Comments

  • r00sterM@n said

    this must be a very fun experiance for all!

  • Big_duck125 said

    I agree! imagine the pain as the rice hits you though!

  • cool-dude said

    wow this must be so much fun!

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