SUMBA
Somewhat off the mainroute through Nusa Tenggara, to the south of Flores, the fascinating island of Sumba has avoided strong influence by the major religions. The 600,000 islanders are still today predominantly animistic, many worshipping ancestral spirits through the Marapu religion, as well as the spirits of the land.
The traditional culture is truly magnificent, mostly linked to the religion. In particular in West Sumba, numerous traditional villages with tall thatched peak-roofed houses are found - all villages with huge megalithic graves as a central part. In addition to stunning funeral ceremonies, the yearly Pasola, with horsemen on bareback fighting each other with spears, is well known.
Unlike most of the other islands in the archipelago, Sumba has no volcanoes to speak of, but is still a mountainous island. The eastern part is dry, rocky and with grassy plateaus, while the west is more green, while still mountainous. Along the coast there are plenty splendid, white, lonely beaches.
Similar to its neighbor islands, agriculture is a major source of income. There is also a certain export of buffalos and horses, and East Sumba is known for its traditional weaving of ikat cloths, likely the finest in Indonesia.