English
This story begins in the Kingdom of Sedaro, Lombok, where there lived a princess named Mandalika. She was the daughter of King Tonjang Beru and Queen Dewi Seranting. Beyond her captivating beauty, Mandalika was known for her wisdom and the kindness of her heart, which led many princes from various kingdoms to dream of taking her as their wife.
Due to the sheer number of proposals received, the Princess was trapped in a heavy dilemma. She realized that if she chose one prince, the jealousy of the others would spark a great war that would only bring misery to her people. Seeking a solution, Mandalika decided to meditate to pray for guidance.
After receiving an answer through her meditation, she invited all the princes and the people to gather at Seger Beach at dawn on the 20th day of the 10th month according to the Sasak calendar. Atop a steep rocky hill, beneath the dawn sky, Princess Mandalika stood and delivered her final message. She declared that she would not choose any single individual, but would instead belong to all the people of Lombok.
"I have decided that I am for all of you. I cannot choose one among the princes, for it would bring disaster."
Upon finishing her words, the Princess leaped into the rolling waves and mysteriously vanished. The panicked people immediately dove into the sea to save her, yet they could not find her body. In its place, millions of colorful sea worms appeared in vast numbers upon the water's surface.
The community believes that these worms, later called Nyale, are the reincarnation of Princess Mandalika, who wished to provide benefits to the masses. To this day, every year the Sasak people celebrate the Bau Nyale tradition to catch these worms as a form of tribute to the Princess's sacrifice for the peace of Lombok.
Due to the sheer number of proposals received, the Princess was trapped in a heavy dilemma. She realized that if she chose one prince, the jealousy of the others would spark a great war that would only bring misery to her people. Seeking a solution, Mandalika decided to meditate to pray for guidance.
After receiving an answer through her meditation, she invited all the princes and the people to gather at Seger Beach at dawn on the 20th day of the 10th month according to the Sasak calendar. Atop a steep rocky hill, beneath the dawn sky, Princess Mandalika stood and delivered her final message. She declared that she would not choose any single individual, but would instead belong to all the people of Lombok.
"I have decided that I am for all of you. I cannot choose one among the princes, for it would bring disaster."
Upon finishing her words, the Princess leaped into the rolling waves and mysteriously vanished. The panicked people immediately dove into the sea to save her, yet they could not find her body. In its place, millions of colorful sea worms appeared in vast numbers upon the water's surface.
The community believes that these worms, later called Nyale, are the reincarnation of Princess Mandalika, who wished to provide benefits to the masses. To this day, every year the Sasak people celebrate the Bau Nyale tradition to catch these worms as a form of tribute to the Princess's sacrifice for the peace of Lombok.