Sumba
Sumba is an island in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, known for its traditional cultures, distinctive architecture, and horses.
Marapu: Marapu is the ancestral and spiritual tradition practiced by many Sumbanese communities. Its beliefs connect ancestors, ritual life, and the island’s distinctive sacred architecture.
Sumba horse: The Sumba horse is a small, sturdy Indonesian horse breed raised on Sumba. Horses remain part of transport, local status, and the Pasola ceremony.
East Nusa Tenggara: East Nusa Tenggara is an Indonesian province comprising islands east of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Sumba is one of the province’s major islands.
Praijing Village: Praijing is a traditional Sumbanese village in West Sumba, known for its high-roofed houses and stone tombs. Its settlement preserves architectural forms associated with Sumba’s ancestral traditions.
Pasola: Pasola is a Sumbanese ritual event in which horsemen throw wooden spears in a ceremonial contest. This seasonal ceremony brings Sumba’s horses, ritual obligations, and community life together.
Waingapu: Waingapu is the largest town and a principal port on Sumba’s eastern coast. It serves as a gateway to the island and its surrounding districts.
Lesser Sunda Islands: The Lesser Sunda Islands are an Indonesian island chain extending east from Bali toward Timor. Sumba belongs to this chain between Sumbawa and Timor.
Ratenggaro: Ratenggaro is a traditional village in southwestern Sumba, known for tall-roofed houses and megalithic tombs. Its houses and tombs make the relationship between dwelling and burial especially visible.
Sumbanese ikat: Sumbanese ikat is a textile tradition in which threads are resist-dyed before weaving, often producing symbolic patterns. Its designs and ceremonial uses express local identities and beliefs.
Weekuri Lagoon: Weekuri Lagoon is a saltwater lagoon on Sumba’s southwestern coast, separated from the sea by rock. It shows how coastal landscapes support the island’s nature-based tourism.