After successfully holding the MotoGP and World Superbike racing events in 2022, Indonesia will again host the 2023 World Superbike (WSBK) world-class race at Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, on March 3-5, 2023.

In addition increase tourist visits, the WSBK 2023 in Mandalika will also have an impact on the creative economy sector around the Mandalika Circuit, especially for the sale of Mandalika’s typical and unique souvenirs which are very interesting.

Talking about Mandalika souvenirs, Sobat Parekraf will immediately think about the beauty of traditionally woven fabric of Sasak (Sasak ethnic group is majority of the population of Lombok). Besides, there are many more unique souvenirs of Mandalika. 

Here are some recommended souvenirs:

Sasak Woven Fabric

The first souvenir you shouldn’t miss when you visit Mandalia is Sasak woven fabric. This woven fabric is very popular overseas, and has even become the target of foreign tourists visiting Mandalika. 

Made of selected cotton spun into yarn, Sasak woven fabric is made with great patience. The production of just one woven fabric can take up to weeks. It is not surprising that Sasak woven fabrics produce very beautiful colors and designs.

Interestingly, you can also learn weaving directly from Sasak women. Just come to Sukarara Village which is the center of traditionally woven fabric production.

Sasak Songket Fabric

As we know, weaving has become a daily life of Sasak women. In addition to woven fabric, there is another type of traditional fabric you can take as a souvenir, namely “songket” fabric. 

Rather different from woven fabric, songket fabric is woven fabric tinged with silver, gold, or yellow synthetic threads to produce a shiny motif color. There are at least about 14 motifs of songket fabric you can get for souvenirs. If Sobat Parekraf wants to see first hand the process of making songket, come to Sukarara Village.

Illustration: Pearl jewelry are usually sold on the beaches of Mandalika (Shutterstock/Andri Wahyudi)

Pearl jewelry

Another Mandalika souvenir which is quite popular is pearl jewelry. These souvenirs are usually sold on the beaches of Mandalika. There are many models of jewelry we can choose, from necklaces, bracelets, to earrings. Sekarbela District, Lombok, is one of the centers for the unique handicrafts.

Ketak Wickerwork

Sasak people are good at weaving as well as making wickerworks. Ketak wickerworks are souvenirs you should not miss when you are in Mandalika. This handicraft is made from ketak (a kind of fern plants) which is very popular in Lombok.

At first glance, this ketak wickerwork looks like a typical Balinese rattan bag. The difference is that ketak wickerworks have a harder and stronger texture. Usually, ketak wickerwork is created as women’s bags having high artistic value. The ketak wickerworks are available at the souvenir center in Mandalika.

Pottery

If Sobat Parekraf wants to buy ornaments to adorn your house, get pottery in Mandalika. This typical Lombok pottery is quite unique since it is decorated with various unique motifs depicting the daily life of Sasak people. If you want to see directly the making of Lombok pottery, you can come to the craftsman center in Banyumulek Village. 

Those are some recommendations for typical souvenirs that you can get in Mandalika after watching the 2023 WSBK event. Are you ready to hunt for souvenirs?

Cover: Sasak traditional woven fabric is famous in Indonesia and abroad (Shutterstock/MajestiX B)