There are many natural beauties that you can discover in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), with one of the most famous destinations being Lombok, known for its beautiful string of Gili islands and mesmerizing shades of the sea. However, besides that, there’s an equally fascinating experience in NTB—feeling the warmth of the local community in Maria Village, Bima, Sumbawa.
For those of you who don't know, Maria Village is located in Wawo District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, about 40 kilometers or approximately a 1-hour drive from Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport in Bima. Maria Village should definitely be on your travel list because of the rich cultural heritage of the Mbojo tribe in Bima, which beautifully represents the diversity of #InIndonesiaOnly.
Let’s find out what you can explore in Maria Village through this special village tour #InIndonesiaOnly, SPADA (Special from Village Tourism) this time!
1. Explore the Unique and Authentic Traditional Houses of the Mbojo Tribe, Uma Lengge and Jompa
If Bali has jineng and the Baduy has leuit, in Bima, specifically in Maria Village, there are uma lengge and jompa, cultural heritage sites that serve as storage places for agricultural produce. The uma lengge building is unique, resembling a gazebo with a tall roof made of alang-alang grass. Typically, uma lengge is 2x2 meters in size with a height of 5 meters. On the other hand, jompa is a stilt house with a tile roof.
In Maria Village, there are about 13 uma lengge and 103 jompa, which have been passed down through generations since the colonial era. In addition to being a cultural icon in Maria Village, uma lengge symbolizes the food security of the Bima community because the harvested produce stored in uma lengge can last up to a year.
2. Witness the Process of Making Bima's Traditional Weaving, Tembe Nggoli, and Try Weaving It Yourself
If North Sumatra has ulos fabric, Bima has its own traditional woven fabric called tembe nggoli, also known as sarung nggoli. Made from cotton thread, tembe nggoli features bright colors and distinctive patterns. The fabric is smooth and not easily torn, and it is unique in that it feels warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.
To produce one piece of sarung nggoli, craftsmen usually take about two weeks. In Maria Village, besides watching the process, you can also try weaving tembe nggoli using traditional looms, guided by the weavers. Isn’t that exciting, Sobat Pesona?
3. Capture Instagrammable Photos in Uma Lengge Wearing Traditional Bima Clothing
For Instagrammable photos, don’t miss this itinerary! In the same area, the Cultural Heritage site of uma Lengge, you can snap some beautiful photos dressed like the locals of Bima. The traditional women’s attire is called rimpu. Typically, rimpu consists of two pieces of sarung nggoli worn as a top and bottom.
What’s unique about wearing rimpu is that for unmarried women, it is worn like a veil, showing only the eyes, while married women can wear rimpu that reveals their entire face. Interesting, right?
4. Witness the Extreme Traditional Mbojo Tribe Ritual in Bima, Mpa’a Ntumbu Tuta (Headbutting)
Looking for something more thrilling in Maria Village? Don’t worry! There’s an extreme and challenging attraction called ntumbu tuta, which means headbutting. This headbutting tradition is a unique and ancestral ritual of the Bima community in Maria Village.
This performance shows two people taking turns headbutting each other (one in an attacking position and the other in a defensive position), accompanied by the sound of drums and other musical instruments. How about it, Sobat Pesona? Would you dare to witness this extreme tradition?
5. Buy Souvenirs for Loved Ones at the BUMDES Maria Village
Once you’ve explored the beauty of Maria Village, it’s the perfect time to shop for souvenirs for your loved ones. There are plenty of gift options at the BUMDES (Village-Owned Enterprises) in Maria Village, Wawo District. From trinkets, accessories, handicrafts, food, coffee, to Bima’s traditional woven fabrics, such as the sarung tenun nggoli. Prices for the woven fabric vary, starting from 350 thousand to several million rupiahs.
Want to extend your trip? Don’t worry! You can also visit other cool destinations near Maria Village!
Watch Young Jockeys Ride Horses at the Horse Racing Arena in Panda Village, Palibelo District
Around an hour's drive from Maria Village, you can catch another exciting attraction in Bima called Pacoa Jara, a traditional horse racing event. What’s unique about this sport is that it’s not done by adults, but by young jockeys under 10 years old! Even more impressive, these jockeys ride Bima horses without saddles. Before the pandemic, the horse races were watched by hundreds, even thousands of spectators from various villages. So, if you get a chance to visit Bima, make sure to stop by the Horse Racing Arena in Panda Village, Palibelo District, to witness these young jockeys in action!
Try the Traditional Bima Porridge, Minasarua, along Sondosia Sila Road, Bima
Exploring Bima wouldn’t be complete without trying its delicious cuisine. One of the traditional dishes you must try is minasarua, a type of porridge. It resembles green bean porridge but is made from black sticky rice. The taste is unique due to the blend of ginger and various spices, making it spicy on the palate and warm in the throat. It’s even better when paired with grilled rice.
Visit the Iconic Floating Mosque in Amahami, Bima
Another must-visit iconic site in Bima is the Floating Mosque in Amahami Beach. The mosque was completed in 2017 and has a unique architectural design that incorporates strong Bima cultural values. For example, the mosque features Bima-style ornaments such as the satako flower on its grille and the combination of nggusu waru and uma lengge motifs, which represent Bima’s leadership philosophy.
End the Day Watching the Sunset at Lawata Beach
After a long and enjoyable day, it’s best to wind down by something relaxing. True to its name, "Bima City by the Water," Bima offers a series of beaches along its coastline. One of them is Lawata Beach, which offers a beautiful view of the Bima Bay. Here, you can enjoy the stunning gradient of the sky as the sun sets, while watching the boats sailing by. Around the beach, there are many food vendors offering delicious Bima specialties.
That’s the complete information about Maria Village, which might just inspire your next vacation, Sobat Pesona. If you’re tired of the same old vacation ideas, visiting Maria Village should definitely be a solution!
But remember, wherever you are, always follow the health protocols by wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly, and keeping your distance, Sobat Pesona!
Curious about the other village tours #InIndonesiaOnly that we’ll visit? Make sure to stay tuned for more fun SPADA (Special from Village Tourism) adventures ahead!
