Sumba is an island in the province of east nusa tenggara (nusa tenggara timur_NTT) lying southeast of Bali,west of Timor,and south of Flores,is an unspoiled tropical paradise.

Sumba, formerly known as the sandalwood island, is known for it horses and Sumba cloth. The island is famous for it's arts and handicrafts, particularly the textile ikat weaving and cultural assets.

The island is roughly of oval shape, and the greatest concentration of those who worship spirit ( of Merapu ) is found in West Sumba. Where two_third of the population hold on to their traditional religion.

Many traditional activities,all with a part of paying homage to the spirit,take place in the months of july to october.These include the building of adat houses and burrials where sometimes hundreds of pigs,water buffaloes,horses and dogs are sacrificed.Other ceremonies include the pajura or traditional boxing contest,in which the fists of the boxer are wrapped in wild grass leaves with barbed edges, and the festivel of lunar in new year in october and november. Horses races and ritual dances perfomance are usually organized in both east and west Sumba.

Although some exist in East Sumba,it is in west Sumba that you can find the greatest number of huge sculptured megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peak huts raised on stilts. It is in west Sumba that increadi-ble ritual pasola takes place.

In sumba tradition the rooster is a connection between this life and the afterlife.When a king dies a ceramony takes place where the rooster is used as a medium to connect with their ancesters . Many animals belonging to the dead king ,for example his horses, are sacrificed to accompany him to the afterlife. A symbol of power of the kings of sumba is the dragon

How to get there;

by pelni ship-every fortnight from bali ,kupang or flore air connections from kupang or bali also available

Ferries from kupang also available

So lets go to sumba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!