Lebaran Topat, the Sasak Tradition Becoming an NTB Tourism Magnet

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal stated that the Lebaran Topat tradition is not merely an indigenous ritual but also holds great potential to enhance the tourism sector in Bumi Sasak. “This is not just a tradition, but a spiritual reflection that strengthens the relationship between humans and God and others,” Iqbal said while attending the Lebaran Topat celebration at the Senggigi Amphitheatre area in West Lombok on Saturday (29/3/2026). The Governor appreciated the community’s and local government’s consistency in preserving Lebaran Topat as a distinctive Sasak cultural identity. According to him, the celebration held every 8 Shawwal is not only the conclusion of the Eid series but also a meaningful occasion. The philosophy of ketupat with its four sides—Lebaran, Luberan, Leburan, and Labur—symbolises the perfection of worship, the acceptance of sharing, mutual forgiveness, and the return to self-sanctity. From early morning, thousands of people crowded the Senggigi area, dressed in their finest attire and carrying trays of ketupat and typical dishes. Domestic and foreign tourists also immersed themselves in the atmosphere, witnessing firsthand the unique traditions found only in Lombok. “Lebaran Topat is not just a traditional celebration, but a cultural feast that binds togetherness, strengthens identity, and becomes NTB’s flagship tourism magnet,” the Governor emphasised. West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini added that Lebaran Topat is an ancestral legacy that continues to thrive in the lifeblood of Sasak society. This year, the festivities appeared more vibrant with various cultural performances, creative parades, traditional music, and the involvement of tourism stakeholders such as hotels and resorts in Senggigi, without losing the tradition’s essence. Meanwhile, amid the lively Lebaran Topat, academician from Mpu Kuturan Singaraja State Hindu Religious Institute, Dr. I Putu Mardika, assessed that Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP Tunas) supports character education for children in the digital age. “This regulation is the state’s response to the changing cultural landscape due to the massive penetration of digital technologies,” Mardika said in Singaraja on Saturday.