Poto Tourism Village

Exploring the Traces of Tau Samawa Civilization in Poto Tourism Village: The Epicenter of Sumbawa Culture

Desa Wisata Poto, located in Moyo Hilir District, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, is more than just an ordinary holiday destination. This village serves as a "living laboratory" for the Samawa ethnic culture. As a Cultural Center, Poto Village plays a crucial role in keeping the flame of tradition alive amidst the currents of modernization. With a community that still holds ancestral values firmly, this village offers an immersive experience for anyone wishing to delve into the philosophy of life of the Sumbawa people.

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Heritage of Weaving: The Distinctive Crafts of Sesek and Kre Alang

One of the strongest identities of Poto Tourism Village is its weaving craft. Here, weaving is not merely a livelihood but a cultural ritual passed down through generations via the female lineage. Its flagship product is Kre Alang, a distinctive Sumbawa woven fabric using gold or silver threads with philosophical motifs.

The most iconic motifs are Gajah Ngilar (dancing elephant) and Bunga Teratai (lotus flower), symbolizing nobility and the human connection with nature. Tourists can not only see the finished products but also participate in weaving workshops, from the process of spinning yarn, natural dyeing using bark and plant roots, to the nyungkit technique (lifting threads to form patterns). The uniqueness of Poto Village lies in the consistency of its artisans in using eco-friendly natural dyes, a practice that has now become a sustainable tourism attraction.

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Revitalization of Oral Literature: Sakeco and Ngumang

Poto Tourism Village is a stronghold for Sumbawa's rich oral literature. Cultural programs here strongly emphasize the preservation of Sakeco. Sakeco is a narrative art form performed by two men using a rebana (tambourine). The lyrics performed (called Lawas) contain moral messages, social criticism, and religious advice.

Besides Sakeco, visitors can witness the Ngumang tradition, an expression of masculinity and joy usually displayed in post-harvest rituals or buffalo festivals. Ngumang involves dance movements resembling eagles, accompanied by poetic shouts that evoke spirit. The cultural center in this village regularly holds training sessions for the younger generation, ensuring that the rhythm of the rebana and the verses of Lawas are not lost to time.

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Culturally-Based Architecture and Spatial Planning

As a cultural center, the physical structure of Poto Village also reflects its local identity. In this village, traditional Sumbawa stilt houses are still found, serving as public spaces and storage for agricultural produce. The village hall and art studios are built following traditional architectural patterns, creating an authentic atmosphere.

One of the unique programs here is "Live-in Culture," where visitors stay with local residents in these stilt houses. This aims to provide a deep understanding of the etiquette (adab) of the Samawa community, such as the Basiru (mutual cooperation) tradition and the warm yet respectful way of welcoming guests while honoring their privacy.

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Folk Games and Traditional Sports: Buffalo Racing (Barapan Kebo)

The most anticipated tradition in Poto Village is Barapan Kebo or Buffalo Racing. Unlike buffalo races in other regions, Barapan Kebo in Sumbawa has unique magical and skill components. In the muddy rice fields, a pair of buffaloes are spurred to hit Saka (wooden stakes) placed at the end of the track.

Poto Village's role as a cultural center is evident in how they package this festival. Barapan Kebo is not just about competition but also a ritual of gratitude for the fertility of the land. Before the race begins, a ritual is performed by the Sandro (traditional shaman) to bless the buffaloes and the land. Tourists are invited to understand the symbolism behind the Barapan Kebo equipment, such as Noga (the wooden yoke connecting the buffaloes' necks) and Kareng (the jockey's footrest).

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Educational Programs and Community Involvement

The Poto Village Cultural Center functions as an outdoor school for local children. Through the "Heritage School" program, village elders (Tokoh Adat) provide regular lessons on ethics, local history, and traditional skills. Community involvement is massive; every household has a role, from providing traditional cuisine like Sepat and Singang, to locally certified tour guides about the village's history.

The village government and tourism awareness groups (Pokdarwis) also actively collaborate with academics to document traditional knowledge (Traditional Ecological Knowledge). This includes how the Poto community manages water resources and agricultural systems in sync with the traditional calendar.

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Poto Cultural Festival: The Climax of Traditional Celebration

Every year, Poto Tourism Village hosts a large-scale cultural festival that becomes a magnet for domestic and international tourists. This festival is usually aligned with the agricultural calendar. During this event, the village's full potential is showcased: a colossal weaving parade, inter-village Sakeco competitions, and an exhibition of rare culinary dishes that only appear during traditional ceremonies.

This festival is not just a spectacle but an arena for cultural consolidation. It is here that knowledge transfer occurs organically between the older and younger generations. Tourists who attend are treated as part of the village's extended family, invited to join in dancing and taste dishes in the Beguru (communal floor dining) tradition.

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Heritage Preservation and Future Challenges

As a cultural center, Poto Village faces significant challenges in maintaining its originality amidst the demands of tourism commercialization. However, the village's strength lies in the principle of "Community-Based Tourism." Decisions regarding village development are made through customary deliberation, ensuring that any tourism innovation does not harm noble values.

Efforts in cultural digitalization have also begun. Documentation of weaving motifs and audio recordings of oral literature are being archived digitally so they can be studied by the outside world without damaging their original essence. Poto Village stands as proof that a remote village in Sumbawa can become a beacon of civilization, blending a glorious past with a sustainable future.

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Conclusion: Poto Village's Role in Local Development

The existence of Poto Tourism Village as a cultural center has transformed the economic and social landscape of Moyo Hilir. Culture is no longer seen as an obsolete relic but as a valuable asset capable of improving the community's standard of living. By consistently preserving its weaving traditions, oral literature, and folk games, Poto Village ensures that the identity of Tau Samawa will remain standing tall, becoming a source of pride for West Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia in the eyes of the world.

A visit to Poto Village is a spiritual and intellectual journey. Here, every inch of land tells a story, every thread has meaning, and every beat of the rebana is a prayer for the balance of nature and humanity. Poto Village is the beating heart of Sumbawa culture, inviting everyone to return and rediscover their humanity through local wisdom.