8 Historic Objects Trace Islam Nusantara Collection Museum NTB Arrive In Jeddah

Eight historical objects from the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) State Museum collection are already in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to participate in the international exhibition of the Islamic Arts Biennale.

The NTB Bunyamin Museum courier, who is currently in Jeddah, said the eight historical objects arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

"The collections were flown to Jeddah using the Saudia SV827 aircraft on January 7 at 00.40 western Indonesia time and arrived at King Abdulaziz Airport at 06.40 Saudi Arabia time," he said in a statement received in Mataram, Antara, Thursday, January 9.

On that same day, at 10.00 Saudi Arabia time, it was demolished and checked five collections, namely togogang keris, gerantim keris, two kining, and a grandiose tajul book for installation.

As for the three other historical objects from the NTB Museum collection, in the form of kelang kere, trembe songke, and cipo' cila, which are still in the coffin, they will be demolished, checked, and installed on Thursday.

"The collections on display include eight artifacts that reflect Islamic traces in the archipelago, especially from the Sasak, Samawa, and Mbojo tribes. Some of them are keris, cipo' cila (a typical Sumbawa women's hijab), grandiose tajul, and perkinanan (betel food equipment)," said Bunyamin.

The international exhibition organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was held for four months from January 25 to May 25, 2025 at the western hajj terminal of King Abdulaziz Airport.

The art of number-themed exhibition is one of the largest exhibitions in the world featuring the wealth and diversity of Islamic culture through institutions from various countries.

Indonesia was elected as a representative of Southeast Asia from 20 countries. Indonesia's participation in the Islamic Arts Biennale exhibition was represented by three museums, namely the NTB Museum, Sonobudoyo Museum in Yogyakarta, and the National Library in Jakarta.

Head of the NTB Museum Ahmad Nuralam said that the participation of the NTB Museum in the international exhibition was part of the tourism and cultural promotion of West Nusa Tenggara.

This is also a manifestation of cultural diplomacy that strengthens Indonesia's position as a country with the largest Islamic population that has a very diverse wealth of Islamic arts and culture.

"We are grateful that the collectibles have arrived safely with the courier. We hope that the exhibition will run smoothly until it is finished," said Nuralam.

The curator of the NTB Museum, James Bennnet, revealed that when the collection objects had been examined by the conservation team and were in accordance with the objects and the administration, the next stage was the installation of the vitrin in escorting the staff of the NTB Museum.

"After being put into the vitrin, it will be locked, and will be reopened after the exhibition closes. So actually if it is reopened, then the museum team must be called to guard it when it opens the revitine lock," said James.