Thousands of visitors gathered on Saturday at Seger Beach in Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara province to celebrate the annual Bau Nyale Festival, underscoring the event’s growing role as a key driver of cultural tourism and local economic activity.
The 2026 edition of the festival, themed “The Power of a Legend”, draws inspiration from the centuries-old tale of Princess Mandalika, whose legendary self-sacrifice is believed to have transformed her into nyale, or sea worms, which appear once a year along the coast.
West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, who attended the event with provincial family welfare chair Sinta Agathia Soedjoko, said the story of Mandalika reflects deep local wisdom rooted in spiritual, social and communal values.
“The sacrifice of Princess Mandalika represents local wisdom that guides our prayers and efforts to build a prosperous and globally recognised West Nusa Tenggara,” Iqbal said during his remarks at the opening ceremony.
Crowds began pouring into the Mandalika coastal area from midday, with domestic tourists mixing with visitors from overseas. Despite adverse weather forcing the cancellation of several headline events, including the ceremonial crowning of Princess Mandalika and performances by music groups, the festive atmosphere remained strong.
Traditional Betandak dance performances opened the festival, drawing spectators into a cultural showcase that organisers said aimed to recreate the simplicity and symbolism of Lombok’s past. Thousands of people filled the beachfront and surrounding hills, waiting for the highlight of the celebration – the early-morning ritual of catching nyale.
The surge in visitors provided a boost to the local economy, with rows of small and medium-sized enterprises lining access routes to the site, selling traditional food and handicrafts. Traffic congestion was reported in several areas due to limited access between the Mandalika circuit perimeter and nearby brackish lakes.
Festival organiser Lalu Gede Diaz said the event would continue to be developed as a long-term cultural and tourism asset for the region.
“We are optimistic the Bau Nyale Festival will be preserved and deliver tangible benefits for local communities,” he said.
Among the visitors was Mak Ace, 65, from North Lombok, who travelled with her family to experience the festival. “We came for a family holiday and to witness the nyale-catching tradition firsthand,” she said.
Christina, 30, a tourist from France, said she only learned about the festival after arriving in Kuta Mandalika. “I had never heard of it before, but after listening to the Mandalika story, I decided to come and see the tradition for myself,” she said.
The provincial government hopes the annual festival will help preserve local heritage while strengthening Mandalika’s position as a tradition-based tourism destination capable of driving sustainable economic growth.
