On 17 January 2014, our team had the chance to visit Semokan, a hamlet in Sukadana Village, North Lombok Regency. It is one of the places that hosts the Maulid Adat (traditional Mawlid celebration), an event the local community eagerly looks forward to. Here is the story of our trip and what we experienced while we were there. Journeys to traditional villages like this one can be arranged as part of our Lombok tour packages.
Getting to Semokan Hamlet
From Mataram, the drive to Sukadana Village takes around 2.5 hours by motor vehicle. Once we reached Sukadana, we carried on towards Semokan along a rocky dirt track that proved fairly demanding. The terrain is steep and strewn with stones, so it takes full concentration and a firm hand on the vehicle.
After parking, we still had a walk ahead of us to reach the hutan adat (customary forest), where the ceremony takes place. Along the way we passed small children playing happily around the forest. It made for an exotic sight, especially as they were all wearing matching traditional dress, which deepened the sense of tradition in the air.
Kampu: The Heart of the Maulid Adat
The main venue for the ceremony is called Kampu, an area of less than 100 square metres set in the middle of the customary forest. Kampu holds several buildings, among them the Masjid Kuno (ancient mosque), a silent witness to the long history of the Semokan community. The atmosphere inside Kampu feels sacred and full of meaning.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late to see the full sequence of events. The Maulid Adat had in fact begun the day before, so we missed several important rituals such as tumbuk beras (pounding the rice), cuci beras (washing the rice) and peresean (traditional Sasak stick fighting). Even so, we were glad to be able to document what did take place that day.
The Merembun Procession: Gathering the Produce
One moment we did manage to witness was the merembun procession, the gathering of the produce. One by one, the people of Semokan carried their produce, such as rice and livestock, to Kampu. What struck us was that everyone took part willingly, with no one being forced. It shows just how strong the community’s resolve and sense of togetherness are when it comes to keeping this tradition alive.
The produce collected that day was plentiful, and included:
- 2 water buffalo,
- 44 goats, and
- 2 chickens.
Working Together in Harmony
What amazed us most was how smoothly the villagers worked together. The customary elders took charge of slaughtering the livestock, while the grown men skinned the animals afterwards. Children helped roast the goats that were left unskinned, and the women were busy cooking rice for the communal meal.
Everything ran smoothly and in good order without anyone giving instructions. Each person clearly understood their own role and responsibility. That joyful, shared atmosphere says everything about how well custom and culture are still preserved in Semokan.
Final Thoughts
Our visit to Semokan to witness the Maulid Adat left us with an experience we will not forget. The event is not simply a religious ritual; it is living proof of how firmly the people of Semokan hold on to their traditions and to one another. If local culture and tradition interest you, Semokan in Bayan, North Lombok, is a destination well worth making the trip for.
