Traditional Arts to be Next Big Tourist Draw

A STRONG, community-wide love and appreciation of the value of tradition and culture will see Lombok and Sumbawa people, along with tourists, flock to any performance of customary arts.

The distinctive and rich rituals and arts of the province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) have the potential to draw tourists from around the world to NTB and to complement the region’s stunning natural attractions which are already a major drawcard.

Through its active Culture and Tourism agency, the provincial government aims to develop a tourism-conscious society that fully supports NTB’s priority programs for tourism development, especially through its customary arts.

The first step has been to establish tourism awareness groups to educate people on the importance of their traditional arts to tourism growth. In the West Lombok pottery-making village of Banyumulek, the awareness group staged a series of customary performances including dance.

A delegation from the national agency for Community Empowerment and Destination Development was taken by cidomo, NTB’s traditional pony and cart transport, into Banyumulek where they were traditionally welcomed by a village display of the colourful Gendang Belek (big drum) dance.

“I am amazed at the extent of hospitality from the Banyumulek tourist village community,” said Community Empowerment director Dr Muhammad Bakri, whose delegation then heard a themed poetry reading by artist Wisna who said tourism growth through traditional arts would open new horizons and opportunities for NTB’s artists.

Theatrical performer Muhamad Zaini showed how daily life in the village involves use of a pool of water and soil to make Banyumulek’s famous pottery. While his performance highlighted tourism potential, it prompted Bakri to call for more local support for the village.

“Unfortunately, in terms of infrastructure and village atmosphere, this NTB centre of pottery-making is not showing the characteristics of a tourist village and we ask local government to pay more attention to this,” he said.

“Across Indonesia there are 569 tourist villages, of which 20 are in NTB, which are being supported by the tourism-driven National Community Empowerment Program (PNPM). In 2010 Banyumulek received Rp70 million and in 2011 we will increase that to Rp100 million,” he said as villagers rose to applaud the commitment.

Development of the performing arts in Banyumulek was further supported by PNPM consultant and professor at Yogyakarta’s Gajah Mada University, Dr M Baiquni, who compared Banyumulek’s traditional welcome for guests and arts performances with activities in Kasongan tourist village in Yogyakarta.

“Banyumulek’s pottery tradition and products will meet the needs of tourists who are interested in pottery, but the performing arts have a major role in providing an optional attraction for visitors with other interests,” he said.

NTB Culture and Tourism head Dr Gita Aryadi said NTB’s annual Gendang Belek festival, including a contest to identify the drummer who could beat for the longest time,

along with Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) performances, were among customary arts displays adding value to the tourism experience.

“This effort is designed to enhance development of NTB tourism and of the province,” he said. “If our traditional arts can continue to be sustainable, and can support our Visit Lombok-Sumbawa campaign to attract one million tourists in 2012, then our artistic performers also will prosper.”

source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com

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