Tabik pun!

Lampung, as the gateway to the marvels of Sumatra, unfolds its beauty beside the Sunda Strait. On the Merak-Bakauheni ferry, travelers embark on this enchanting realm. Scattered across numerous islands, Lampung offers the splendors of nature, such as Mount Krakatoa, Sebuku National Park, Pahawang Island, and Tegal Mas Island.

The Lampung Pavilion at TMII narrates an unforgettable story with Nuwou Balak and Nuwou Sessat, two traditional houses built in 1973 and 1975. Governor of Lampung, Sutiyoso, presented them to Tien Soeharto as a symbol of hope and dreams.

This pavilion showcases five main structures, including a stilt traditional house (Nuwou/Lamban Balak), a traditional hall (Nuwou Sessat), an office building (Nuwou Kattur), a mess building (Pesanggrahan Anjula), and the Pondok Krakatau Cafeteria. Lawang Kuri, its main gate, radiates the elegance of Lampung’s distinctive architecture, with the Siger Tower serving as the icon of Lampung Province.

To the right of Siger Tower, Nuwou Kattur, a two-story building, serves as the pavilion’s management office and library. On the left side of the tower stands Nuwou Balak, the queen’s hall, which is the residence of traditional leaders (customs balancer). This stilt house contains magical elements reflecting cultural order and the past way of life, with various rooms including the gate (lawang kuri), reporting area (pusiban), staircase (ijan geladak), front porch to welcome guests (anjung-anjung), middle porch as a gathering space for men and women (lapang agung), and bedrooms. Visitors are also invited to explore time through cultural exhibitions showcasing traditional clothing, household items, wedding displays, and handicrafts.

In its original setting, the traditional leader’s house had a distinctive veranda that set it apart from ordinary homes. Originally roofed with iron wood shingles, it now comes with zinc roofs and roof tiles.

DID YOU KNOW?

Nuwou Sessat is the largest and most magnificent building in the Lampung Pavilion. This structure symbolizes the gathering of traditional leaders (purwatin or traditional balancer) in Lampung, nicknamed ‘Bali Agung’ in the land of Tapis Berseri. Its five main parts, namely ijan geladak, veranda, pusiban, tetabuhan room (where traditional musical instruments are kept), and gajah merem (a room where the traditional leader rests), create an atmosphere of enduring tradition and wisdom.