Sasak Traditional House

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the weaving and house-building techniques that are traditional for the area, yet rather rare elsewhere. In the inland village of Sukarara, you will watch weavers using dyed yarns that are produced through an intricate process known as ikat. The finished patterns tend to be blurry because it is so difficult, if not impossible, to perfectly line up the dyed yarns. Sukarara is well-known for its extraordinary ikat textiles, much like the indigenous Sasak ethnic group has become synonymous with a unique style of thatched homes. You will see an entire village of these thatched structures at Ende. The buildings are constructed with wooden pillars, bamboo walls and roofs made with a woven grass known as alang-alang. Incredibly, nails or metal tools are never used in the construction. After this cultural experience, you will enjoy a buffet lunch and free time at Kuta Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand on the island’s southern coast.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch artisans make textiles with yarns dyed through an unique process known as ikat.
• Meander through a village of unusual thatched homes that the indigenous Sasaks built.
• Recognize the prodigious skills needed to produce ikat yarns and Sasak architecture.
• Linger over a traditional buffet lunch at Kuta Beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.