East Lombok Holds Festival to Revitalize Sasak Language

KBRN, East Lombok: To preserve local languages as a part of their cultural identity, the East Lombok Regency Administration, through its Education and Culture Agency, officially launched the 2025 Mother Tongue Bud Festival (Festival Tunas Bahasa Ibu or FTBI) at the regency level.

The event took place in East Lombok, on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Handayani Hall part of the Education and Culture Branch Agency of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

The festival was officially opened by the Secretary of the East Lombok Education and Culture Agency, Jumadil. In his speech, he affirmed the local government's commitment to preserving local languages.

"Prioritize the Indonesian language, preserve local languages, and master foreign languages," Jumadil said.

He said that the Festival serves as a means of passing on the local language to the younger generation so it remains alive and continues to grow.

Jumadil emphasized that the main goal of FTBI is not just competition, but also to serve as a platform for appreciation and development for students and teachers.

He expressed hope that elementary and middle school teachers will become facilitators and leaders in revitalizing Sasak language instruction, in line with the East Lombok SMART vision.

"We extend our highest appreciation to all parties who have supported the organization of FTBI 2025. We hope the revitalization of the local language goes smoothly, continues sustainably, and becomes more deeply rooted among the younger generation," he added.

Head of the 2025 FTBI Committee, Arpin, who is also Head of the Culture Division at the East Lombok Education and Culture Agency, explained that this year’s theme is Bewacan Manis, Bertingkah Alus, Beradat Tindih (speaking sweetly, behaving elegantly, and upholding customs). The theme remains the same as the previous two years because it holds a profound meaning about using good manners, being polite, and adhering to customs and rules.

"This theme teaches the importance of speaking politely, behaving gracefully, and holding onto applicable traditions," he said.

The Festival also marks several achievements for East Lombok. This is the fourth time the event has been held at the regency level.

East Lombok is the first region in NTB Province to openly organize FTBI since 2023, and it has successfully won the overall champion title for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024).

In 2025, East Lombok is the sole representative from NTB Province to advance to the national level. Participation in the festival has also grown significantly, with 406 participants, 240 elementary school students and 166 middle school students from 21 subdistricts taking part, a higher number than the previous year.

The participants showcased their skills in seven different competitions: pidarte (public speaking), bewaran (storytelling), begolohan (debate), writing cekon (short stories), nembang Sasak (singing Sasak songs), reading Sasak poetry, and writing Sasak script.

Through FTBI, the East Lombok Regency Administration aims to strengthen the structured preservation of the Sasak language in educational settings.

It is hoped that the younger generation will become active speakers of the Sasak language, and that schools will play a strategic role in preserving the local language and literature for the future. ***

Translator: Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala

Editor: Bambang MBKA