Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Culture Ministry is preparing a comprehensive four-phase recovery plan for the historic Sade Cultural Village following a devastating fire that swept through the traditional Sasak settlement on Saturday (August 22).
Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in a statement released on Monday that the village, located in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is a priceless national cultural asset and its restoration is a top priority for the government.
The blaze caused widespread destruction, damaging a total of 167 structures. The fire gutted 75 traditional houses, 69 handicraft shops, and eight thatched granaries. The blaze also impacted a mosque, a grand pavilion, the village gate, and several traditional gazebos.
Furthermore, the inferno incinerated invaluable heirlooms belonging to the indigenous Sasak community. Lost artifacts include traditional daggers (keris), spears, large ceremonial drums, antique gongs, martial arts equipment, and ancient Sanskrit manuscripts.
To address the devastation, the ministry has outlined a four-phase recovery strategy.
The first phase, which is currently underway, focuses on emergency response. Teams are meticulously combing through the debris to salvage surviving woven fabrics, heirlooms, and charred manuscript fragments.
Simultaneously, officials are documenting local folklore, history, and traditional knowledge directly from customary elders to preserve the community’s collective memory.
Subsequent phases will include a comprehensive assessment and inventory of the remaining artifacts, followed by the physical restoration of the buildings.
Reconstruction will utilize authentic traditional materials — such as wood, bamboo, palm fiber, and thatch — while integrating modern fire prevention facilities. The final phase will focus on digitizing cultural documents and strengthening community-based disaster preparedness systems.
To support economic recovery, the government will provide fire-affected residents with new looms and weaving gear to help them resume their traditional livelihoods.
Meanwhile, lost cultural manuscripts will be reconstructed by duplicating similar ancient texts preserved at the West Nusa Tenggara Museum.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Sade Cultural Village had not yet been registered in the local cultural database. In response, the ministry will fully support efforts to inventory the village’s cultural assets.
“The Ministry of Culture is ready to act as Guardian of Indigenous Community Data to immediately integrate and register all cultural heritage sites and indigenous territories nationwide, ensuring they are shielded by a stronger legal protection framework,” Zon said.
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Translator: Sri Larasati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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