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.
Related articles
Simple and flexible travel insurance
You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance.
Get a quote
3 Comments
this must be a very fun experiance for all!
I agree! imagine the pain as the rice hits you though!
wow this must be so much fun!