WEST LOMBOK, The Lombok Herald – The people of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and the world are invited to witness one of the most unique and festive manifestations of religious harmony in Indonesia: ‘Pujawali & Perang Topat 2025’.
This sacred and festive annual event will be held on Thursday, 4 December 2025, with the theme “The Power Of Culture!”. This celebration is not just a festival, but a true manifestation of interfaith harmony and unity in Lombok.
Perang Topat is not a ‘war’ in the true sense of the word, but rather a ritual of throwing topat (ketupat) between Hindus and Muslims of the Sasak tribe as a symbol of gratitude, love, and eternal tolerance. For centuries, this tradition has been a reflection of the harmonious life between the Islamic Sasak tribe and the Hindu Balinese tribe on the island of Lombok.
The Topat War celebration clearly symbolises the sowing of seeds of love, brotherhood, and tolerance. The ketupat that is thrown is believed to bring blessings of fertility to the agricultural land.
Head of the West Lombok Tourism Office Agus Gunawan said that Pujawali and Perang Topat are reminders that differences are a source of strength, not division. They are an authentic reflection of how customs, traditions, culture, and religion can unite in peaceful celebration.
‘This event illustrates the harmony between Muslims and Hindus living together without friction or confrontation. This harmony is still reflected in religious rituals and in the Topat War in one area,’ said Agus on Friday (28/11/2025).
The Topat War itself has been nationally recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia through the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Number 19255/mpk.F/kb/2020.
This celebration will be a combination of sacred rituals and exciting folk entertainment, with a series of activities taking place from 28 November to 7 December 2025. The Topat War celebrations will commence with the Presean attraction, which will be held from 28 November to 1 December 2025. Additionally, there will be SMEs and other activities during the Topat War celebrations, including the creation of Kebon Odeq, Roah Gubug/Islamic Commemoration, Mendak Betara, the installation of abah-abah, the Pujawali procession, and others.
The highlight of the event is the Topat War Procession, marked by the Raraq Kembang Waru, the falling of flowers from the Waru tree. The ‘war’ will officially begin after a symbolic throwing of objects by the attending dignitaries as a sign of respect. (disparlobar)