|
 |
SUMBA
Outlying, dry, mostly barren Sumba is one of the most fascinating
islands of Nusa Tenggara. Situated south of Flores and midway
between Sumbawa and Timor, Sumba is recognized, as the source
of some of Indonesia's most handsome ikat fabrics, sandalwood
horses, ritual tribal life, flawlessly built high-peaked thatch-roofed
villages, and mammoth sculptured stone tombs. Here, you find
an authentic ancient culture. About 300 km long by 80 km wide
and oval shaped, Sumba's 11,180 sq. km area and its total population
of 410,000 is divided into East and West Regencies, with significant
topographic, climatic, cultural, linguistic, and historical
differences between the two halves. The island's chief air and
seaport, Waingapu, is the capital of East Sumba. Waikabubak
is the capital of the West Sumba Regency.
Lying outside the volcanic belt, much of Sumba's interior consists
of extensive plateaus with scattered, irregular hills, especially
in the eastern part of the island. The climate is hot and dry,
particularly in the east with widespread Eucalyptus Savannahs
and large tracts of flat grasslands and step like landscape.
Megalithic cultures still exist in the outlying areas, particularly
in West Sumba where you find large numbers of huge tombs and
dolmens along roads, amid lush hilltop vegetation, around villages,
and even in the front yards of houses. Anthropologists study
these isolated Sumbanese societies to learn about their cultures.
|
|
Copyright
© 2000-2001 by
Bagus Discovery. All Rights reserved.
Best viewed with Internet Explorer. |
|
