Sumba
island has a great and unique position respect to the
Sunda Banda archipelagoes, it is one of the biggest island on the
East Nusa Tenggara region beside Flores and Timor. It represents an
isolated sliver of probable continental crust to the south of active
volcanic islands (Sumbawa, Flores ) within the forearc basin (Fig.1). It
is situated to the north of passage from the Java Trench (subduction
front) to the Timor Through (collision front). It does not show still
the effects of strong compression in contrast to islands of the outer
arc system (Savu, Roti, Timor), while the magmatic units make up a
substantial part of the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphy.
Sumba
island covers an area of 11,150
square km which is now populated by about 350,000 people.
Generally the climate similar to other part of Indonesia where a
dry season (May to November), and a rainy season (December to
April). The island of Sumba is well known of its sandlewood,
horses, impressive megalithic tombs, typical hand woven textile
("ikat"), and still untouched beautiful beaches. There
are two entering point in to Sumba island from anywhere in the
Lesser Waingapu & Waikabubak (Tambolaka). These are the people
could enter Sumba for either by flight or boat.
Sumba has a unique culture
and their social life. Sumbanese are traditionally divided into three
level of social life : (Raja/King) - Maramba, Customary Official -
Kabihu, and Slaves - Ata. Sumbanese are living from farming, cattle
breeding, rice-field farming and trading. Ones owns cattle will contribute
to their social status such as if they had more cattle giving them a
higher social status.
Most Sumbanese are
Christian (Catholic and Protestant), however, and part of them are still
strongly keep their native and original religion called Marapu. Most
cultural objects are related to the Marapu religion such as the shape of
traditional houses, ceremonies, or kings' graves and tombs. more
about Sumba....
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