Nothing was known about Lombok before 17th century. The Sasak the original population of Lombok seemed not to active in developing their country. The record about Lombok was started in 1677 AD when kingdom of Goa, Makassar, South Sulawesi tried to overrun Lombok. In that struggle of Sasak Chiefs, Bali strengthened his control in Lombok and in 1750 the whole island was under control of Karangasem kingdom, one of the small kingdom in East coast of Bali. By the end of 18th century one of Sasak chief invited Dutch to rule their land in return to the service that the Dutch must spell out Karangasem kingdom from Lombok. The Dutch was interested, and the first army was drop in Lombok, but was defeated by the prince with their army, The second army of Dutch drawn from Java was able to subdue the kingdom after bombarded Ampenan the center of kingdom in Lombok, and after the marched of prince and all the army and families to face the guns of Dutch army until the last drop of blood. This war was known as Puputan Lombok. Now Lombok was under the Dutch administration, and the Dutch was welcome like god as their liberator from Karangasem kingdom, and as promised by the Sasak Chiefs, the Dutch now control the island. The control of Dutch become a nightmares for the Sasaks since the heavy taxes was imposed without exception. The rice was all collected and brought to the the Dutch headquarters. This was continuing for years until what was everyone by no means did not want, yet it happened -- the great famine of 1938 on. With the rule of Balinese in Lombok some cultural aspects of Bali were applied such as water irrigation system, social organization, and religion. The co-operation between the Sasak and Bali was going well inter-marriage was common. The Sasak who make-up 90% of the total population of Lombok are all Moslem, while Balinese who mostly live on West Lombok and in the city of Mataram, Ampenan, and Cakaranegara were remain Hindu. There are many interesting places belong to the Hindu kingdom in Mataran and surrounding as described below. When the Dutch defeated the kingdom of Bali in Lombok, the Sasak welcome them as salvation, they lent the Land of Lombok to be managed by the East India Company. As a result, as mentioned above was the long famine of 1938. The Dutch to finance their army and maintain their office and administration in Lombok must look for other sources of income by collecting all agricultural products, especially the rice. As the chiefs of Sasak had promised to them, a heavy tax was imposed, the life of the people become very miserable, and this misery started to reach the peak in 1938 and continued for years. Lombok again was divided into many smaller kingdoms which was independence each of them such as Mataram, Praya, and Selong. These small kingdoms continued until the proclamation of Indonesian independence in 1945. After the independence of Indonesia actually Lombok would have been under Bali administration, but again with the involvement of Dutch who came again to Indonesia together with International League Army tried to colonize Indonesia again. Although the fact that the International League Army had the duty only disarmed Japanese. Lombok was made as independence federal state separated from Bali. With the departure of Dutch again from Indonesia due to International pressure, Lombok is considered as independence province under Republic of Indonesia.

Lombok is small island around 80 x 80 square kilo meters with most of the land is the area of Rinjani peak with it's slope of dry land. Good land for farming is only on the west coast and central Lombok. While other areas are hilly and dry. Southern part of Lombok near the beach is greatly hilly, and plateau, but have nice clean sandy beach, a perfect place for enjoy the sea water. Physically they are similar with Javanese and Balinese, but their language is typical and can not be understood by Balinese or Javanese. Sasak ethnic form 90% of the total population of Lombok, and Bali 10% of the total population. There are other minorities such as Chinese, Arabian, and Sumbawanese at the eastern part of the island. They came to Lombok, when the king of Goa tried to attack Lombok by bringing many soldiers from Sumbawa.

Lombok handicraft is simple in decoration, but it is strongly ethnic in character, such as the type of Lombok art and handicraft is typical for certain village for certain type. Pottery for example is typical for Panujak village, Lombok cloth is typical for Sukarara village, and others. Very little of creative art can be found. Collectors are very interested to buy the art since it's typical shape, and tourists are their main customer beside it is exported to Bali in big numbers. In Bali it is easier to find market, even for the wholesalers. On west Lombok musical instruments and dances are much influenced by Bali. It can be said that it is Bali in characters. Original Sasak dance is a very simple war dance, and other Sasak dance which got the influence from Islam.

Taman Narmada It was built in 1744 by royal court of Karangasem to look similar with water palace of Karangasem in Bali. This palace was the bloody site in 1894 between Bali prince and the Dutch. Balinese prince with his soldiers and family did not want to surrender to the Dutch, but decided to face them until the last drop of blood. This event was known as Puputan Lombok. The location is rally nice with the wall enclosing and water palace is a good place for relax under the shade. Original Lombok music may not exist, but so far what is called Tandak Gerok, a set of instruments consist of bamboo flutes, rebab, and kempli ( bamboo knocked instruments ) are used during the fold play after harvesting time, especially harvesting the rice. The most unique religion is waktu telu religion, a mixed indigenous with Hindu and Islam. They do not fast a month but only 3 days during Ramadhan, do not pray 5 times, and do not make pilgrimage, and no objection of eating pork. The famous temple for this believe is Lingsar Temple, where is also a Hindu temple on the side. It was built in 1744 by royal court of Karangasem to look similar with water palace of Karangasem in Bali. The largest temple in Lombok built by the royal palace in 1720 as the symbol of the kingdom and consolidated the smaller kingdoms. The temple reflects the style and concept of Bali. The temple as the main tourist's object in Lombok beside Mayura Water Palace, this is especially popular combination during Mataram City tour. The Narmada park with it's temple is dedicated to the god residing Mount Rinjani. The location is around 6 kms east of Sweta market, and a beautiful palace to enjoy for hours. There are 2 swimming pools for recreation, constructed during the kingdom of Lombok. Built in 1714 and is considered the holiest temple in Lombok. Hindu and Waktu Telu Moslem have the temple at the same area. Hindu temple is the northern complex, and Waktu Telu temple is the southern complex, built in separate section. According to the data the younger generation of Waktu Telu Moslem is steadily leaving their ancestor belief to joint he more Arab oriented Islam. Suranadi temple is the one of the holiest temple sets in a garden, and famous with it's icy cool water spring. The bath has Balinese decorations such as carving and artistic patterns. There is also a sanctuary in the small forest which is a pleasant place to walk on the shade. Banyu Mulek vilage is the famous pottery handicraft village in Lombok. Here the pots are decorated in plant style and make outer woven basket to keep the terracotta pot stronger. The weaving is patterned and make the pot looks natural and beautiful. Plenty of this handicrafts works are exported to Bali, beside it is also sold locally for art shops and tourists. Senggigi beach has fine beach, just west of Mataram city on the west coast of Lombok. Senggigi beach is the most developed area in Lombok especially from tourism business. Now dozens of accommodations from simple to five star hotels can be found here. Also various shops and restaurants are along the the main road of Senggigi beach. There are 3 small islands on the west coast of Lombok with white sand beach and clear water. Those are Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. These 3 Gilis are already inhabited by local people from Lombok. Gili Air is the most densely populated around one thousand people there. All Gilis are developed for tourists resort, especially for diving program and snorkeling in their clear water and white sandy beaches. Tete Batu is a place with a very beautiful view of South and east Lombok, while northern area is the slope of Mount Rinjani. Near Tete Batu there are waterfalls and monkey forest, with black monkeys. The place is a perfect choice for an absolute retreat with it's many simple accommodations. Sukarara village is the center of Lombok traditional weaving craft. The village is so famous among tour operators in planning tour program in Lombok which caused the village is crowded and commercial. This Lombok weaving cloth has very typical ethnic tone. Foreigners look it very much as a collection of the ethnic specialty or just for hobby. If you have the chance to visit Lombok, take a full day tour called Full day Sasak Traditional tour, and ask the tour operator to stop at the village. Panujak village is known for it's authentic terracotta pottery making. Their technique of production might be the most simple one. Besides pottery they also make figurines of animals as a gift items for tourists or for selling in big amount. Most of their products are exported to Bali, so it will not strange that in Bali this handicraft look like Made in Bali, as some of them got new decoration again. Rambitan village is a traditional Sasak village where architecture, pattern of living, and the materials used for construction are typical. One who want to see Sasak culture is good to see this village closely to have a rather complete insight on their life. There are many Sasak village have changed their original setting of their village due to the modernization. The name Kuta in Lombok is just by coincidence with Kuta in Bali, but the two place is incomparable for anything. Kuta Lombok is famous for it's clear water and white sandy beach. On the beach of Kuta around February or March is organized a tribal event called "Putri Nyale" where people collecting Nyale a kind of sea worms. If the number of collection is big they said it is the sign of good harvest, and so does the contrary. After collecting the sea worms the boys will take their boat or canoe run after another while shouting noisily.

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