Souvenirs from Lombok Island of Indonesia

Lombok is a fascinating holiday destination in Indonesia. Ever since I returned my short 3 day trip of Lombok, I have been missing the island atmosphere terribly. Thankfully I got some gifts and souvenirs from Lombok for friends back with me.

Do check: Lombok Itinerary – Things to do

The list of souvenirs and gifts options in Lombok is endless, but I always take care to purchase the local handmade stuffs. If possible I try and buy directly from artisans.

Turtle from Lombok in company with Turtles from Evora Portugal

I strongly believe that each of us as a traveler can and must contribute to local economy. Try and avoid factory made stuffs which are usually produced in bulk. T-shirts, shot glasses, key chains and more such items are cheap but neither are they unique nor are they precious. Instead go in for locally made fabrics and support local crafts people and traditions.

Ethnic Souvenirs from Lombok

It is with that in mind I have made a list of ethnic souvenirs to buy from Lombok. Think well before you decide which memento of the place you will want to cherish.

Fabrics

Lombok has good variety of hand woven fabrics made of cotton and silk. It is customary for the women in family to know how to weave. They are still preserving this age old know-how and create such beautiful patterns and weaves.

Lombok ikat textiles are made in several villages in the island. The designs seem fairly simple, consisting of several narrow bands and stripes of shimmering patterns.

Ikat fabric Lombok Indonesia

Sasak people of Bayan region in foothills of Mt. Rinjani are known to make the ceremonial textile Sokong, worn as head dress by the priests.

Sarong, usually a rectangular piece of cloth, serves well for clothing, sheets, towels and beach wear.

There is yet another popular textile of Lombok – the Songket. It is the most complicated hand woven fabric in cotton or silk. The ones patterned with gold and silver thread are on the expensive side. Songkets are woven by women while ikats are woven by men too.

Pottery

Pottery is one livelihood means that has come down from ancient times. However similar the basics of the art may be each region has developed a style of their own. The distinct art forms evolved makes them stand apart.

Go to Banyumulek village to see and grab the authentic designs and styles in pottery. They use paints, weave grass and paste shells on them to create such amazing art works. You can try making one art piece yourself which you can carry back home.

Other places for pottery are: Masbagik, Penujak.

Pearl Jewelry of Lombok

You will get amazing varieties of jewellery here.

Jewelry with pearls is a flourishing market here. There are number of pearl farms which encourage farm tours and witness their surgical operation of the oyster and harvesting of pearls. Simplest one to pick up from here would be a single pearl bracelet. They look elegant. There are several pearl shops along Sultan Kaharudin street Lombok.

Then there are jewelry made with volcanic lava rocks and stones, wooden beads and some with colourful threads.

Interested in Jewelry? Check: Ancient Jewelry of Greece

Wooden Masks and Carvings

Wooden masks were significant for ceremonies with the purpose to communicate with ancestral spirits. But today they have attained a status in our living rooms. A wonderful take away from Lombok, these masks come in several sizes, shapes, colors and designs. Other artifacts in wood are painted bowls, decorated platter, and jewelry boxes.

Check – Venetian Masks

Ketak Crafts

These are unique Lombok hand woven crafts. Can you believe they are made of wild grass! The grass is sun dried and woven into hand bags, baskets, pots, mats and even hats. They are chemical-free during and after the production.  Very eco friendly, these bags are any day better than the fake Louis Vuitton bags.

Ketak wickerwork is combined with pottery too, a perfect solution to what to buy in Lombok.

Ketak Crafts – Ethical souvenirs from Lombok

Cukli Art

Lendang Re village of Lombok is famous for Cukli art. They use an unusual combination of wood and shells to make amazing pieces of art. Wood is crafted into various forms like masks, trays, parts of furnitures, like table tops. Designs are engraved in to them. Then, in to these grooves they implant the sea shells.

They do this in pottery too. It is quite an effort and the art work costs more. But they do make a good choice for tropical gifts from Lombok.

This one reminded me of the Rosewood inlay work of Mysore India.

Cukli Art with sea shells on pottery

Where to buy best Lombok Souvenirs

Best option to buy souvenirs of Lombok would be to buy directly from artisans. The villages have their own handicraft centres where the locals submit their art work and fabric for sale.

But if you missed out on visiting the villages and spent holidaying just at the beaches, worry not. There are large oleh oleh shops in and around Mataram, the capital of Lombok, also in Sengigi and Praya. Kuta too is a good option for cheap shopping in Lombok.

Interested in more Gifts and Souvenir Guide?

Read more:
Souvenirs from Varanasi
Souvenirs from Sharjah, UAE
Souvenirs from Portugal

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