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.