Culture · 2026-06-18 · 6 min read
Sasak Culture 101: Villages, Weaving & Etiquette for Visitors
Who the Sasak people are, what the rice barns mean, and how to visit a weaving village as a guest rather than a tourist.
The people of the island
Lombok is home to the Sasak people, whose language, architecture and traditions are distinct from neighboring Bali. The iconic lumbung — rice barns with curved alang-alang roofs — are not decoration; they are the island’s granaries and its pride.
Songket: cloth with a memory
In weaving villages like Sukarara, songket cloth is still made on backstrap looms, thread by thread. A complex piece can take months. Buying directly from the cooperative — or simply visiting with a guide who is welcomed there — keeps the craft alive.
Being a good guest
Dress modestly in villages, ask before photographing people, use your right hand for giving and receiving, and never touch anyone’s head. A smile and “permisi” (excuse me) open most doors.
When you visit with a local rider-guide, you arrive as an introduction, not an intrusion — which changes everything about how a village receives you.