Independence Day Festival Lombok

The island of Lombok is a part of the archipelago of Indonesia and located east of the Indonesian island of Bali. The populace of Lombok though, unlike Bali, is largely made up of Sasek Muslims. However, what they do share is their Independence Day, which is celebrated as a festival throughout Indonesia. The Independence Day Festival of Lombok is an electric, colorful and joyous occasion especially for the people of the island. The Independence Day Festival of Lombok marks the anniversary of the most momentous occasion in the history of the nation: freedom from colonial clutches.

The Independence Day Festival of Lombok, along with the rest of the country is celebrated in the month of August, on the 17th day. On this day in the year 1949, the Republic of Indonesia finally gained freedom from the Dutch. The Dutch first touched the shore of the island of Lombok in 1647. Prior to that, the Austronesian inhabitants of the island had undergone Indian and Arab influence. Until the year 1798, the island of Lombok, along with the rest of the nation of Indonesia was ruled over by the Dutch East Indies Company. In 1799 the reins of the governance of the islands was transferred to the Netherlands government. In 1945 Indonesia declared its independence, and finally achieved it in 1949.

The Independence Day Festival of Lombok is locally called “Merdeka”, which in the Malay language translates as ‘independence’ or ‘freedom’. The word gained popularity during the independence movement carried out by the Malaya, Singapore and Indonesian colonies against their respective colonizers.

The Independence Day Festival of Lombok is termed a festival because a lot of preparation precedes the day. On the Independence Day Festival of Lombok a Folk and Art Festival is held as an additional attraction. However, this exhibition is not the only attraction of the Independence Day Festival of Lombok. The inhabitants of the island of Lombok decorate the thoroughfares with bunting, Indonesian flags and painted plastic cups. During the course of the day of the Independence Day Festival of Lombok, there are colorful parades with a patriotic flavor that march through the streets. Many regions of the island of Lombok use the day to host bazaars and games like pole climbing, racing, sailing, and performing mock battles and fairs and fetes. Because of all these festivities and fanfare that make a part of the Independence Day Festival of Lombok, and also because of the boom in tourism to the island, the occasion proves a major draw for visitors and tourists to Lombok.

Hotels in Lombok
Intan Village Hotel	Lombok Raya Hotel
Holiday Resort Lombok	Puri Saron Hotel
Puri Mas Village Resort	Puri Mas Beach Resorts & Spa