NTB Museum Showcases Mt. Samalas’ Explosive Past at Rinjani Color Run
The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Museum is bringing the dramatic geological history of ancient Mount Samalas to life during the Rinjani Color Run, a vibrant sporting event set to take place in Sembalun, East Lombok, on August 23–24, 2025.
The museum’s exhibition aims to educate the public about the catastrophic 1257 eruption of Mount Samalas, one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history.
The eruption caused the mountain’s peak to collapse, forming the Segara Anak caldera and giving rise to the present-day Mount Rinjani and its active volcanic cone, Mount Barujari.
“Through the Rinjani Color Run, we want to deliver historical and cultural education in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere,” said NTB Museum head Ahmad Nuralam in Mataram on Thursday, August 14, 2025, as reported by antaranews.com.
He noted that Sembalun, a prime vantage point for viewing Mount Rinjani, offers an ideal setting for the event.
The exhibition will feature a scale model of Mount Rinjani, accompanied by narrative brochures detailing the eruption’s global impact. Among the highlights is the Babat Lombok, a historical manuscript chronicling the ancient volcano’s eruption.
Nuralam also pointed out that the beauty of the Segara Anak caldera and Mount Barujari was immortalized on the IDR 10,000 banknote issued by Bank Indonesia in 1998, a testament to the site’s cultural and natural significance.
This initiative forms part of the NTB Provincial Administration’s plan to establish a thematic museum in 2026 dedicated to Mount Samalas and Mount Rinjani, reinforcing the region’s commitment to preserving and promoting its rich geological and cultural heritage.
Now in its third edition, following successful runs in 2022 and 2023, the Rinjani Color Run features a five-kilometer route through Sembalun Lawang village. The scenic track winds past traditional houses, rice fields, and strawberry farms, offering participants a unique blend of sport and nature.
The event will also showcase performances by popular Indonesian musicians and comedians, including Amtenar, DJ Agustin, Justone, Fun B, Yunita Aprilia, and stand-up comedian Rian Oranje.