Sasak people

The name "Sasak" was first mentioned in the 11th century Pujungan Inscription, an inscription found in Tabanan Regency, Bali. The origin of the name "Sasak" may come from the word , which means "boat"; it may also mean "one by one". The word sak is also used by some Dayak people on Kalimantan to mean "one". In the 14th century Nagarakṛtāgama, the word is mentioned along with Lombok in the Kawi phrase , in which means "straight" or "honest", means "gem", means "statement", and means "something that is good" or "utmost". Therefore, means "honesty is the gem that states goodness". According to local tradition, it is believed that the word "Sasak" comes from the phrase which means "the one", followed by the word which originates from the word , meaning "straight". Hence, means "something that is straight". Other translations also include "a straight road". Weaving, an important part of Sasak culture, is known as in the Sasak language; the word comes from the words , , or . is done by threading the threads one by one (), then tightening the threads, and then forming a cloth by beating them on a loom. The sound heard when beating the loom is similar to the sound "", and it is only done twice. Yet another theory is that the word means "bamboo woven together". == History ==

Little is known about early Sasak history except that Lombok was placed under direct rule of the Majaphait Empire by the 14th century Mahapatih Gajah Mada. Islam arrived into the area around the 15th century, and Sasaks converted to Islam between the late 16th century to early 17th century. This was done under the influence of Pangeran Prapen (), the son of Raden Paku (Sunan Giri); Lombok was conquered by the Gelgel Balinese kingdom in the early 16th century, thus bringing a large population of Balinese people to Lombok. The Balinese population of Lombok today is about 300,000, or 10–15% of Lombok's population. The Balinese have also strongly influenced the Wetu Telu religion. == Language ==

The Sasak language () is an Austronesian language belonging to the Malayo-Sumbawan branch, mostly found in Western Indonesia and Malaysia. More specifically, Sasak belongs to the languages of Western Indonesia, meaning it is closely related to the languages of Java (such as Javanese and Sundanese) and languages of Bali (such as Balinese). There are also a number of Sasak dialects in various regions, such as Kutó-Kuté and Bayan-Sasak (North Sasak), Menó-Mené (Central Sasak), Meriaq-Meriku (Central South Sasak), Ngenó-Ngené (Central East Sasak and Central West Sasak), and Nggetó-Nggeté (Northeast Sasak). == Religion ==

Most Sasaks today are adherents of the () version of Islam, signifying the five daily prayers which Muslims are required to perform; this in contrast to Sasaks who are practitioners of Wetu Telu () Islam, who only pray three times a day. Orthodox Islamic teachers generally instruct adherents to pray five times a day. Many ancient Hindu , such as Gunung Pengsong, Lingsar, Meru, and Suranadi, still remain standing. == Art performances ==