Nyelamet Dowong: A Ritual to Protect Crops from Pests in Lombok

The Sasak people of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, have a wealth of local wisdom that’s been cherished and shared from one generation to the next. One fascinating tradition is Nyelamat Dowong, which is used to protect rice fields from pets.

By Rozi Anwar

On Monday afternoon (2/2/2026), Denggen Village in Selong District, East Lombok, was unusually bustling. Unlike any other day, dozens of Sasak women in black and traditional sarongs walked gracefully, balancing dulang (large ceremonial trays) on their heads.

The trays were filled with various traditional offerings, including rice with side dishes, local Lombok snacks, and fruits harvested by the farmers. These dishes were covered with a traditional red food cover known by locals as “tembolaq beaq.”

The procession moved from the mosque area toward the ancestral graves, located about one kilometer away, to perform rituals of zikir (remembrance) and prayer. Upon arriving at the ancestral cemetery, the women placed their trays down and sat on the ground to participate in the ceremony.

Waiting for them at the cemetery were the village men and community elders. Once everyone had gathered, Lalu Selamet (70), a traditional leader, stood to address the residents, including the village youth participating in the procession.

Lalu Selamet recounted the history and origins of the ancestors of the Denggen community, hoping the younger generation would not forget their ancestral customs and traditions. 

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Following the storytelling, he took holy water that had been mixed with chicken blood. This water was sourced from the Merta Sari spring located within the village.This holy water is a vital component of the Nyelamet Dowong ceremony. 

Lalu Selamet handed the water to two farmers in attendance. It was then placed upon one of the graves and blessed with Islamic prayers. 
Dozens of jerrycans filled with this blessed water were later poured into the farmers’ rice fields, a symbolic act performed in the hope of a better harvest this year.

A Natural Pesticide to Eradicate Pests

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The “Nyelamet Dowong” ritual is a yearly tradition in Denggen Village, Selong District, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). This village is located approximately 45.8 kilometers east of Mataram City, the capital of NTB.
Nyelamet Dowong means “saving the rice” because it’s done every year before the harvest to keep the crops safe from pests.

Lalu Selamet explained, “We do this every year when the rice is about a month old. It’s a must-do tradition.”

The Nyelamet Dowong rituals take two days. It kicks off on Friday with cleaning the ancestral graves, and then on Sunday, we have the ritual slaughter of chickens.

Selamet added, “We do the chicken slaughter in a special spot where we’ve dug a hole. The idea is to keep ‘disease’ from spreading. We then pour the chicken blood onto bamboo leaves.”

These blood-smeared bamboo leaves have been used as a “natural pesticide” for ages. They’re placed in the fields to attract pests, and since the blood smells, the pests are drawn to them and eventually die. 

Afterward, they pour holy water from the Merta Sari spring into the fields, hoping the dead pests will be washed away by the current.

Lalu Selamet added, “This ceremony is a way to thank God and ask for a good harvest. It’s also our way of helping make sure we have enough food for ourselves.”

The community is really committed to keeping this tradition alive. Amaq Muslihin, a local, shared that he joined in by bringing lots of food and fruits to share with everyone.

“We made this ourselves to enjoy together. My rice is turning yellow, and I’m hoping that after all the prayers of Nyelamet Dowong, our harvest will be great!” Amaq Muslihin concluded.

This article has been translated with AI. See original.

Editor: Ismail Zakaria