Scenes from the Island of Sumba in Indonesia - February 1998


  • Trip Summary by Tawna
  • Day by Day Trip Log of the Island of Sumba
  • Heirloom Beads in Indonesia

    Welcome Party in Sumbanese village

    We slept on the porch in a village very similar to this on one night. It was more comfortable than the hotel...with the exception of caribow (water buffalo), chickens, and dogs wandering past us all night.
  • We are greeted by men armed with swords
  • Traditional dance performance given in our honor
  • Typical Sumbanese home in Rindi, where textiles are hand dyed and hand woven

    Pasola Festival in West Sumba

    Yearly spring ritual where the locals host mock battles. Riders from opposing teams try to knock each other off their horses. The spilling of blood is seen as a good omen, as it appeases the ancient anamistic Marapu religion's gods, and will help ensure a good harvest. It is not uncommon for a rider or two to die from injuries sustained in battle. To die in the mock battle is seen as an honor.
  • Spears and insults are hurled as the participants ride past the opposing team
  • Riders as young as 12 years old participate

    Tawna is chased by caribow as the villagers watch and laugh

    Caribow are used to plow the rice fields. When the caribow die, every part of the caribow is used: meat for food, horn and bone for jewelry, etc. Caribow are very important and are often used as part of the bride-price. For example, to marry the Raja's (King's) daughter, it costs 100 caribow.
  • Darn, those bulls are after me!

    Hand-dyed and hand-woven ikat textiles from East Sumba

    The textiles take at least one year to complete, partially because the different colors of dyes are made at different times of the year. The blue dye is from the indigo plant, which grows wild around the villages. It is only made in the rainy season. The reddish brown dye is from the root of the kombu plant. It is only made in the dry season. The textiles are woven on hand looms - the design is woven in. It is not painted on. Both villages of Rindi and Waingapu are well known for some of the most exquisite ikat textiles in Southeast Asia
  • 2 Textiles: Turtle motif, Dragon and crocodile motif

    Other websites of interest...

  • Paraiyawang - Rende A typical village maintaining the traditions and remains of the old kingdom. The stones are tombs of their ancestors
  • Ikat Weaving A labor intensive hand-weaving process in Sumba. Many textiles take a year or more to make
  • More information on Sumba
  • History and Legends of Tourism Objects in West Sumba