Mataram, W. Nusa Tenggara.  The West Nusa Tenggara provincial government has begun rebuilding Sade Village after a fire destroyed at least 120 traditional houses in one of Lombok’s best-known cultural tourism destinations last week.

The blaze, which broke out at around 10 p.m. local time on Aug. 22, also damaged stalls operated by small businesses selling Sade’s distinctive handwoven textiles. About 320 people from 120 households lost their homes in the fire.

As authorities prepare to rebuild the village, they face the challenge of restoring the community while preserving Sade’s cultural identity. The village is one of the traditional settlements of the Sasak ethnic community and is known for its distinctive architecture and layout. Believed to be around 600 years old, Sade has become one of Lombok’s main cultural tourism destinations.

Ahmad Nur Aulia, head of the West Nusa Tenggara Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, said recovery efforts should go beyond physical reconstruction to improve safety and disaster preparedness for both residents and tourists.

“We need to establish better disaster mitigation systems so that cultural preservation can go hand in hand with the safety of residents and visitors,” Aulia said.

Traditional houses in Sade are built with materials such as wood, bamboo and thatch, making them particularly vulnerable to fire. At the same time, these materials and architectural features are central to the village’s cultural identity and tourism appeal.

The fire destroyed more than homes and personal belongings, also damaging part of the Sasak community’s cultural heritage. Several ancient manuscripts kept in the village were burned, with some damaged beyond recovery and no longer fully readable.

Resident Jumain said the manuscripts included the Rengganis and Jejawan lontar manuscripts, which were traditionally read during certain community and cultural ceremonies. The texts were used during events including weddings and other traditional rites, making them an important part of the community’s cultural practices.

“The Rengganis lontar manuscript and the Jejawan manuscript,” Jumain said, adding that the damaged manuscripts could no longer be salvaged.

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