Balitraveldiary.com – In West Lombok, NTB, there is a unique tradition of topat war. However, despite the name war, do not imagine this tradition is full of violence that can take lives. The West Lombok (Lobar) topat war tradition is actually carried out in a spirit of brotherhood and joy.

The tradition of topat war is the culmination of celebrations carried out by the people of West Lombok. Every year, precisely in November-December, between the time after harvest and before entering the new planting season, the Sasak people and Balinese descendants in West Lombok hold their respective rituals simultaneously at Pura Lingsar.

The Muslim Sasak people hold a waru flower blooming ceremony (the death of hibiscus flower). While residents of Hindu Balinese descent held a ceremony or celebration of the anniversary of the temple. The climax of the celebrations is carried out with the tradition of pujawali topat war or throwing diamonds between citizens.

The ceremony which was held after the arrival of the rainy season before planting rice is intended to return the results of the land (in the form of topat) to the origin (Lingsar). These results will be fertilizer (empty bubus) for rice seeds to be planted. Therefore, those who mainly attended the ceremony were members of Subak Sub-District of Lingsar and Narmada.

In addition, this tradition is an expression of gratitude to the Creator. Every year before the topat war, there are a number of people from this Subak who go up to Mount Rinjani with objects made of gold in the form of shrimp, gourami, nyale, and turtles. These objects will later be dilarung to Lake Segara Anak with a view to begging for prosperity.

The ritual that also carries the spirit of friendship is followed by all religious people around Lingsar Temple. All citizens of any religion can participate in this event. Topat War is usually carried out on the night of the full moon which falls in December.

Before the start of the peak event, there was a ritual of parading buffalo. Each religious figure holds a buffalo rope as he parades around the Lingsar Temple park. The buffalo that is paraded is a symbol of respect for Muslims and Hindus.

The Topat War was accompanied by a Baris Lingsar dance performed by 3 batek (female dancers) and 12 lingsar row dancers (male dancers). The leader of this dance will use Dutch while carrying firearms from the Netherlands in the 18th century, when it came to colonize the island of Lombok.

After the dance was played, the core of the Topat War program began. With the diamond in the hands distributed by the committee, residents have begun to prepare. When the cue to throw was issued, small diamonds began to fly in various directions piercing the bodies of many people.

This tradition of throwing diamonds that are hundreds of years old brings a feeling of joy to the participants who come from various religions. There was no anger, what happened instead made them more familiar. Until now, the tradition which is able to strengthen relations between religious believers in West Lombok is still maintained.

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