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Showing posts with label Sumatera Barat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sumatera Barat. Show all posts

Travel Megalithic Coast in Ujung West Sumba, Indonesia

Sumba southwest shows its beauty through the village Ratenggaro. The village is special because it is located on a seaside cliff Ratewoyo. Its position overlooking the ocean with huge waves break up the rock. Straight ahead, there is no more land to arrive in Africa.

This village was originally located on the headland that is located right on the waterfront. However abrasion and tidal cause water into the house, so residents decided to move the village to a higher cliff.
 
In the former village on the waterfront remains a collection of megalithic stone tomb. The shape is different from the grave stone slab propped as in the city Waikabubak. Grave stone that was here made of solid rock with more than two meters high and decorated with ancient writings and drawings.

 Sitting beside an ancient stone tomb with a beautiful beach to watch the waves crashing, I understand why so revered would Sumba cultural wealth and natural beauty. Soft white sandy beaches and coral flanked by high cliffs reminds me of Tanah Lot in Bali. Of course, the beach is much more beautiful and very quiet. Unfortunately I came a cloudy day so could not watch the sunset.

On the beach I met the old man named Thomas who played traditional musical instruments made of wood. Excerpt of strings adds a magical atmosphere that feels a sense of the place. Fatigue due to travel by motorcycle for two hours straight away.

The village is situated in the area of Kodi, Sumba Barat Daya. Kodi is on the western tip of the island of Sumba. This place is about 80 kilometers from the city where I was staying, Waikabubak. Seen on the road map is a bit twisted, but this is the way most good condition.

This time I was escorted by a guide named Timothy Pingge, a native of Sumba. Although he says the way we passed the most good condition, nonetheless we have to pass through puddles and potholes. Along the way we met a group of school children who smile and friendly greeting every rider who passed them. "Day's mother, father afternoon," they said. The clouds hang so several times we had to take shelter from the rain.

Fields, houses on the edge of the road with grave stones in the courtyard, ravines and forests into an amazing treat for the eyes all the way. Before leaving, we bought souvenirs villagers. Cigarettes for fathers, betel nut for mothers and sweets for children.

Live in an area that is so beautiful had little effect on the welfare of the villagers. Only segelitir of those who make a living from the sea. Moreover, this village consists of only five traditional houses. Fires burned four years ago almost all the houses in the village. Of the 13 houses, only one survived.

Sumba traditional village does have a high risk of fire. Roof made of reeds flammable in the dry season. The fire spread with the wind, so the fire is usually destroys all the houses in the area.

Rebuilding the custom house is not cheap. Villagers told him that a house requires four main pillars to remain standing. "One timber cost the same as a large buffalo," said the residents of the village. That's just the cost of the main mast, not counting the cost to build the walls, floors and roofs. In addition to the costs, materials previously easily obtained from forests is increasingly difficult to find.

Subsequently I visited Kampung Paronabaroro. Conditions villages in this area is different from that of my hometown Waikabubak explore the city before. Its remote location makes this village is still very simple. Marapu belief still held tightly by the occupants.

The old woman wearing a cloth topless. Men and women chew betel nut which makes them spit crimson red. This custom started in their teens and make lips appear as though wearing red lipstick. Horses tethered at the side of the house as a symbol of social status of the family.

The entrance to the village is a path along the approximately 4 kilometers. At the front of the village there is a field full of newer grave stone. Some have been modified by using cement, stone is no longer intact.

Grave stone with older age situated in the center of the village. The complex surrounding a grave stone altar where the conduct of ceremonies. Not just anyone allowed to set foot into the place which is considered sacred.

Electricity had just entered the region at the end of January. The power source comes from generators that fuel is filled by way of a joint venture with several villages around. To save costs, they only use it at night.

Travel Guard Indigenous Village West Sumatra of Indonesia

I catch the scent when setting foot on the island of Sumba for the first time. The airport Tambolaka smelled like flowers that blend the leaves and woods. Here Sumba, where savannas fenced beach and blue sky. Sumba, the land of Rato, where blood was spilled to drop dead.

I headed first city named Waikabubak, the district capital of West Sumatra. This city within an hour's drive from the airport Tambolaka. Waikabubak suggested by many fans as a postal journey to explore the surrounding region and West Sumba.

After putting bags in the hotel, I was getting around the city armed with a piece of the map. The first goal is to find food stalls, I found a new one after walking a bit away from the inn. Later I knew that the diner is scarce in Sumba. They only exist in some cities, the rest is on the edge of the terminal or stopover main road.

Not far from the road Bhayangkara which is the main street, there are three traditional villages namely Tarung village, town and village Prai Waitabar Klembung. Although located in the city center three village residents is still adhere to traditional beliefs. Climb a bit, I found a collection of wooden houses thatched with grave stones around it.

This custom home has three parts. Bottom is a pet shelter as buffaloes, pigs, goats and chicken. On it was part of a family residence. The villagers told me that once, one house can accommodate 60 people sleeping around the fireplace.

At the center of the traditional house there are always lit fireplace. Above the fireplace hung containers cooked food, so as not to eat animals that roam freely in the house. Fire also keep food warm and durable.

The third part is the roof of the house. Sumba traditional house roofs towering, can be up to 8 meters. On the roof there is space that is used to store food reserves. Equipment ceremony also usually stored here.

The inhabitants of the village are very friendly invites me to talk. They were surprised when I explained that I came alone from Jakarta, then greeted me as "sister Miss". Residents of the village told him about marapu, Sumba traditional religion. Marapu is the belief in the spirit world which have great impact in the lives of people who are still alive. Although worshiping ancestors, not that adherents Marapu no God. Marapu faithful adherent to the creator who heard and seen everything the man.

Worship of spirits cause funeral be important for adherents marapu. They believe that the person who died had to be escorted to the nature spirits with considerable ceremony. Otherwise, his spirit will hover so as to endanger the relatives or others.

Funeral ceremonies involving animal sacrifice in bulk, Dozens of buffalo, horses and pigs must be slaughtered to complete the ceremony. The bodies are then placed in the grave or in the grave stone. Although now many people have embraced Christianity, this ceremony is still being done. Most of the bodies also remain buried with grave stones bearing crosses.

In the village, as well as in the city, I saw a lot of citizens who bear a machete. Apparently a native Sumba sharp machete sheathed accustomed to the waist, wherever they go. I met a father who proudly tell the story about the machete. He claimed to have used machetes to kill people. "But that was then. Now bring the machete became one of my ways to keep the tradition," the father said.

Blood and war is not foreign to the indigenous people of Sumba. It is said that in ancient times, villagers have the habit of decapitating and flay an opponent who lost the war between tribes. The village has a drum that is layered human skin. Unfortunately, I can not see it because of this little drum out only during traditional ceremonies. Until now tribal wars still occur due to various reasons, including the seizure of land boundaries.

Bustling village atmosphere with mothers who weave the fabric on the front porch. This weave is made with simple tools and decorated traditional symbols Merapu. A piece of cloth weaving takes one to two weeks and will be sold starting price of USD 50 thousand. The villagers seemed already familiar with the arrival of tourists, who will be asked to sign the guest book and leave a donation. Children will be greeted cheerfully, with the hope of getting a piece of candy.