The survival of pre-Islamic ancient religion in Indonesia

The Sasak People of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

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Hello friends.

I’m writing to you again from this little island off the coast of Lombok. I have limited internet access here so I pretty much unplugged for the week, and have been spending my days writing, reading, walking and sleeping. I’m particularly enchanted by the indigo-coloured starfish here twice the size of my hand, the lavender coral, and the call to prayer that the waves carry from the mainland five times a day. Also by the women. Their vibrant cloths and fierce eyes and the way they balance anything on their heads from tubs of water to kilos of dried sugar cane for their cattle. They are grace and ferocity incarnate.

The village on the island has no electricity or running water. And after just over a week here, I am refreshed and invigorated by the simplicity. 

This week I want to tell you about the Sasak people of Lombok, and both the survival of their indigenous tradition as well as its fusion with Islam.