Cultural Landscape of Lombok Island, Indonesia: Spatial structure of terraced paddy fields in Desa Bayan

Abstract This study aimed to clarify spatial structure of terraced paddy fields in Desa Bayan located in Lombok Island, Indonesia as an example of cultural landscape of the island. The survey extent was defined by collecting up all waterways from a water source in a sacred forest (Hutan Adat) which supply water to traditional paddy fields called Sawah Adat. Location of other irrigation facilities such as intakes and water gates, as well as land ownership within a specific area including paddies owned by a traditional chief (Kepala Adat) were collected to understand its spatial characteristics. The findings were summarized as below: 1) Waterways were split into several channels to formulate clusters of paddy fields as a unit of water supply area, 2) size of paddy fields was not consistent but varies based on geographical condition, 3) a set of paddy fields were owned by individual residents not only from Desa Bayan but also from other villages, 4) each set of paddy fields contained a hut which was used not only for resting but also for periodical ceremonies, 5) there was a set of paddy fields owned by a village chief (Kepala Desa) from generation to generation which receives water from other paddy fields preferentially, 6) basic structure of the landscape is defined by waterways but the major factors of cultural landscape could be summarized as continuous paddy fields, spaced-out huts, trees along waterways and forests surrounding the entire area.