The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) State Museum is redefining its role,\nmoving beyond being a dusty repository of ancient artefacts to become a\nvibrant space for soft diplomacy. A diorama of Mount Samalas and Mount\nTambora, standing approximately 90 cm tall and surrounded by yellow\ndecorative lights, serves not merely as an exhibit in the dim, cool\ngallery but as a portal to the past. Visitors are invited to understand\nhow a new civilisation emerged from uninhabited, devastated land\nfollowing catastrophic eruptions, evolving into a densely populated area\nrich with religious, cultural, social, and economic activity, alongside\ncomplex political dynamics.<\/p>\n
A book published by the NTB Museum, titled \u2018Gunung dan Segara: Jejak\nSamalas dan Tambora dalam Peradaban\u2019 (Mountain and Sea: Traces of\nSamalas and Tambora in Civilisation), explains that these eruptions were\nnot just geological events but moments of transformation that reshaped\nnature, forced human adaptation, and allowed culture to find new forms.\nThe eruption of Mount Samalas in 1257 and Mount Tambora in 1815, which\nimpacted the global climate, have left a profound mark on the history\nand culture of humanity worldwide. Foreign tourists, particularly from\nEurope, often ask numerous questions about how these two volcanoes,\nlocated only about 150 kilometres apart, caused such a massive impact on\nthe planet, altering the course of history, changing ways of life, and\nshaping collective memory.<\/p>\n
Through Samalas and Tambora, West Nusa Tenggara possesses a strong\nconnection with countries across the globe. Geological and\narchaeological evidence of the two eruptions can be found in ancient\nmanuscripts and scientific journals, representing a valuable asset for\nregional development by highlighting historical and cultural narratives.\nThe museum\u2019s function has evolved into a bridge for culture,\nstrengthening identity and building understanding between communities\nand nations. In the modern era, it has become a living space connecting\npast stories, present experiences, and a lens for viewing the future.\nVisitors do not merely observe artefacts neatly arranged in\ndark-wood-finished glass vitrines, but also grasp the stories and\nphilosophies behind the journeys that shaped the community\u2019s character.\nThe museum plays a strategic role in supporting the creative economy,\ndelivering quality tourism, strengthening international networks, and\nencouraging academic collaboration. Its community-close programmes,\n\u2018Kotaku Museumku\u2019 and \u2018Kampungku Museumku\u2019, represent a brilliant effort\nto turn the museum into a stage for soft diplomacy, introducing the\nidentity of West Nusa Tenggara\u2019s people to the world.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/museum-as-a-node-of-diplomacy-1782366963", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }