On Friday, February 6, ETA Andre Edmond accompanied 15 students from SMAN 1 Praya and the faculty to a parade celebrating the Lombok legend of Princess Mandalika.

Schools of all types from all around central Lombok were invited to participate in the 2026 Bau Nalye Festival parade. This included traditional sword fighting conducted by elementary school (SD) students. Junior and senior secondary students (SMP, SMA, and SMK) dressed up in their own interpretation of Princess Mandalika.

The colorful and fierce clothing worn by the student is to symbolize the strength of the Princess, as in the legend, she sacrificed herself to end an islandwide war for her hand in marriage. Her spirit returns to the local people once a year as the Nayle worms on the southern beaches.

Andre cheered on his students as they proudly represented both their school and the island-wide culture of Lombok.

Andre Edmond is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Praya, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.