Bau Nyale Putri Mandalika Ritual: Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

The Bau Nyale Putri Mandalika Ritual, occurs once a year, usually during the night of the full moon in February or March, for one or two days. “Nyale”—the local word for sea worms, cluster in Kuta Beach, on the coast of Lombok. After performing sacred rituals and collecting nyale, the locals indulge themselves in merrymaking all night long. Considered to be a delicacy by the locals, nyale is also a symbol of abundance and love. There is a legend involved with the appearance of these colourful seaworms. It is said that in the past, a beautiful princess called Mandalika was willing to sacrifice herself by jumping to the sea. Before that she promised that she’d return once a year in the form of nyale. This year the ritual is on the 7th March.