5 August 2018: The Day the Earth Shook Lombok
On August 5th, 2018, the island of Lombok was struck by a powerful earthquake that forever changed the lives of the people in Pringgasela, a weaving village nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Rinjani. With the towering volcano as a constant presence in daily life, the quake’s epicentre—just north of Rinjani—sent devastating tremors across the region, toppling homes and shattering the sense of normalcy.
In Pringgasela, many houses collapsed completely, while others were left unsafe to inhabit. Our natural dye workshop, Bale Warna Alam, quickly transformed into a refuge—not only for our extended local family who run the weaving co-op, but also for others in urgent need of shelter and support.
Erwin, Anna, and their children worked around the clock—clearing rubble, building makeshift shelters, and offering strength and comfort to their neighbours. Their resilience was nothing short of extraordinary.
Thanks to the continued support of our customers at Tradisi, we were able to contribute directly to their efforts. Profits from our business helped fund immediate relief, while we also donated to local organisations distributing essential supplies such as food, bedding, and household necessities to those affected.
What began as an emergency response evolved into a testament of community, compassion, and the power of working together in times of need.
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Pringgasela is a traditional weaving village nestled in the fertile foothills of Mount Rinjani, Lombok. The local economy is sustained primarily by two enduring crafts: farming and weaving. In this village, weaving is more than a skill—it is a rite of passage. Almost every girl is taught to weave from a young age, and most homes have their own loom, often passed down through generations.
Despite its rich cultural heritage, many families in Pringgasela have long lived below the poverty line. Weaving provides both an artistic outlet and a vital source of income, helping to support households and preserve traditions that might otherwise be lost.
Wikipedia
On 5 August 2018 an earthquake measuring Mw 6.9 (ML 7.0 according to BMKG) struck the island of Lombok, Indonesia. It was the main shock following its foreshock, a nearby 6.4 earthquake on 29 July. It was followed by a nearby 6.9 earthquake on 19 August 2018.
The epicentre was located inland, near Loloan Village in North Lombok Regency. The fault rupture spread to the north and reached the sea, creating tsunamis. Severe shaking was reported throughout the entire island, while strong shaking was reported on the neighboring islands of Bali and Sumbawa.
Widespread damage was reported in Lombok and Bali. Officials stated that at least 80% of structures in North Lombok were damaged or destroyed. In the aftermath of the sequence of earthquakes in August, a total of 563 people were confirmed killed while more than 1,000 were confirmed injured. More than 417,000 people were displaced.
This earthquake is the largest and the strongest earthquake to have hit Lombok in recorded history. With more than 560 deaths, it is also the deadliest earthquake in the Lesser Sunda Islands since the 1992 Flores earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake later caused chains of earthquakes in West Nusa Tenggara with significant magnitude, which was deemed by officials as a rare event.