The island of Sumba is well known for its sandle wood, horses, impressive megalithic tombs, traditional villages, strange beliefs, typical hand woven textile (ikat), and still untouched beautiful beaches.
Waikabubak
Capital of West Sumba ( 1 hour drive from the Hotel). A neat little town in West part of Sumba island. right in town are very traditionnal villages you will see old graves carved in motifs of buffalo horns, man heads, horses, nude men or women symbolizing social status or wealth of the people (megalithic tombs of Kadung Tana, Watu Karagata, and Bulu Peka Mila). Tarung Village is an important ceremonial center . Local market is pleasant and display indigenous stuff
Wanokaka: (I hour drive from Hotel)
Through Nature Natural Park you will arrive to a large scenic waterfall and will swim in fresh water pool. Traditional villages and old megalithic tombs , Pasola in March.
Lamboya
Our hotel Sumba Nautil Resort is here (right in the most still authentic area)Sodan is a very important village for Marapu , there you can find holy houses (rumah nyale-rumah wula podu) and sacred places, also a drum made from human skin that can only be showed on certain occasions and in the presence of `ratos` (priest/chief). The date for Wula podu and Pasola Lamboya is decided by rato of this village, the plain on a high ridge of line of hills (the panorama is fantastic).
At Patiala is the plain where Pasola Lamboya take place, just close to Hotel . From Hotel and without any vehicle , you can reach many traditional villages off the beaten path: an old anchor probably from a Portuguese vessel amazingly kept in a high hill village; holy house with eight carved bird\’s heads; meet ratos and see one of the two horses which first open Pasola on February. Every where around you will be welcome as if you were a member of their family; you are staying at Mr Ali`s Hotel and Mr Ali has been introduced as member of their community and rebaptized with a local name. Many beautiful ballades inland or along the coast to pristine remote beaches will gratify your days . You can often get ceremonies in Lamboya: see TRADITIONS & EVENTS Wula Podu,Topeng/Magowo, Pajura take place in October-November, Pasola in February, Pacuan in July-August. Yawu, weddings and burials all around the year.
Kodi: (3 hours drive from Hotel)
Starting from hotel , you will first discover natural Weekuri Lagoon then picnic on a shady area near a beach lined with crystal clear water. The discover a 300 years old megalithic carved tombs on the beachside, a pretty natural harbour, traditional villages and tombs, fine beaches and quite cheap wooden handicrafts. Pasola Kodi is in February and March.
Pasola: for more details see TRADITIONS & EVENTS
Pasola is the name of a war tournament played by two groups of Sumbanese men riding decorated horses and flinging wooden spears at each other – really unique in the world .
Anakalang: (1H30 drive from- Hotel Sumba Nautil Resort)
Some villages of Anakalang are known for the largest megalithic tombs in Sumba. Anakalang is the site of the Purung Takadonga Ratu, an important mass marriage festival held every two years, on a date determined by the full moon.
Waingapu
Capital of East Sumba(4 hours drive from Hotel). It is known with the traditional Ikat weaving(Prailiu) and some megalithic tombs are also found on this area.
Umabara-Pau
Sumbanese houses,stone tombs and pretty original weaving called \”Pahikung\”.
Rende
Rende village have several traditional style buffalo horn adorned Sumba houses and a number of massive carved stone graves. Here you can meet a well known King who explains the meaning of symbolic ikat motifs to local children to perpetuate traditions. This is also a great place to see high quality traditional Sumba Ikat.
Ikat Weaving: see details in TRADITIONS & EVENTS
Ikat textile in Sumba are worked an exchanged at important ceremonies to show one\’s social status. At the funerals, the most exquisite textiles would be placed in the grave for use in the after world.
Nature
Matayangu & Lai Popu are large and beautiful waterfall located between Anakalang and Wanokaka, Access is through wooded hills. Manupeu National Park(Anakalang) is very interesting for flora and fauna (Sumba has many unique birds). Laputi (near Tarimbang) is a high waterfall above which is a lake with eels that you can feed. For the bravest ones, in some caves, you will cope with bats & not dangerous snakes The last crocodiles of Sumba are very difficult to see in the north part of West Sumba . Wild pigs are hunted with spears by valorous warriors full mud coated
