Collaboration with the Pasirputih Foundation, Lombok
In Indonesia, eating earth is an old traditional habit, which is still present in some villages. Geophagy, the action of eating earth and soil-like substances, is present either as a spiritual practice, or as a cultural cuisine - in a form of a smoked snack, or even as a medicine. For instance, it is considered to strengthen women’s fertility , and moreover, to be good for pregnancy. Unfortunately, it is more and more sinking into oblivion, especially among the young generation.
A part of the research trip in Indonesia has been visiting the Dusun Bentek, Pemenang Barat Village, Pemenang District, North Lombok Regency. It is located in the place of the kingdom Lembah Sari, known as the lost kingdom. According to the legend, as a response to the colonization attempt, the kingdom disappeared from the material world and still exists in a parallel reality. Sometimes the locals are able to enter the white streets of the lost kingdom. Also, the grave of the king Lumendung Sari is still visible for the common people. One has to enter the grave space with respect, barefoot only.
Apart from the information about the kingdom Lembah Sari and the king’s grave, locals also told stories about the edible soil Batu Ampan. They notably told us that Batu Ampan is especially loved by pregnant women and as well can help against stomach problems. Also, people used to eat it after the meals as a snack. This particular type of soil is possible to find in the local ground around the village or on top of the hills.
Together with inhabitants of the village, we went on a search for Batu Ampan, which we found on the top of the hills, as we have been told.
Batu Ampan found in Dusun Bentek, Pemenang Barat Village, Pemenang District, North Lombok Regency,
photo by Masha Ru, 2016
Later on, we have been sharing what we learned from the locals of this village about traditional geophagy with the members of the Pasirputih Fondation, in Pasirputih, Lombok. The Pasirputih Foundation is an egalitarian non-profit organization based in the Pemenang, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. It was established on December 29th, 2009. The organization focuses on the development of media literacy knowledge, arts, and both social and cultural studies. The Foundation works by facilitating social education and culture, especially the arts and media, through collaborative activities and involving local residents in the Pemenang District in particular, and North Lombok in general. Its members were not aware of the Indonesian habit of eating earth and therefore were very surprised to learn about it and curious to discover it by practicing. The workshop COOKING VOLCANIC ROCK has been organized in the Pasirputih Foundation. Using the Batu Ampan we found in the Pemenang Barat Village, we cooked this volcanic rock using Indonesian traditional ways. With this experience, the participants have been reconnecting with a part of their national heritage, and we all enjoyed a sharing moment together.
Cooking volcanic rock at the Pasirputih Foundation, 25/12/2016
Cooking volcanic rock at the Pasirputih Foundation, 25/12/2016, photo by Masha Ru
‘Tanah dan Persahabatan’, PasirPutih, Muhammed Gozali, article, 20-12-2016, Indonesia (Indonesian)>>
‘Edible soil ‘Batu Ampan’ In Pemenang’, PasirPutih, Masha Ru, article, 19-12-2016, Indonesia (English)>>
The workshop was made possible thanks to the invitation of the Pasirputih Foundation. The work of Masha Ru in 2016 was supported by Mondriaan Fund.
