NTB Museum Elaborates on Village-Based History and Culture Preservation Model

Mataram (ANTARA) - The State Museum of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is elaborating a village-based model for preserving history and culture through the development of a thematic museum concept that directly involves the community in Karang Taliwang Subdistrict, Mataram City.

“Karang Taliwang has potential to be developed into a village museum because it possesses an entrepreneurial DNA, strong social cohesion, and historical traces dating back to the 17th century,” said the Head of the NTB Museum, Ahmad Nuralam, in Mataram on Monday.

The NTB Museum is developing a village museum that not only functions as a space for preserving various artefacts but also as a living space representing traditions and cultures still practised by the local residents.

“We are inviting them to think together about creating the Karang Taliwang village museum,” said Nuralam.

Furthermore, he stated that Karang Taliwang village could become a living museum integrated with the daily activities of the community.

Visitors can directly witness traditions, socio-cultural practices, and old architecture still maintained by the village residents as a natural exhibition space.

The NTB Museum, together with the Karang Taliwang community, plans to form an ad-hoc team to formulate steps for developing the thematic museum, including mapping potentials, needs, and support that can be provided by each party.

Based on historical records, Karang Taliwang was formed from the settlement of troops from the Taliwang Kingdom sent to assist the Selaparang Kingdom in repelling invasions by the Gelgel and Karangasem Kingdoms in the early 16th century.

Karang Taliwang community figure Syfari Habibi (53 years old) appreciated the NTB Museum’s efforts to develop a thematic museum as a new tourist destination to stimulate the local economy.

“The Taliwang community strongly supports the programme because, besides the famous Taliwang chicken cuisine, we also have strong historical values. We can tell more about Taliwang’s history through the village museum,” Syfari concluded.