The school holiday is the perfect time to spend some quality time with your family. How to get an amazing vacation? The best things to do that is to of course is to find a new place to visit, create new memories, and unwind from your high-pressure daily routine.
Sumba is one of the best and perfect destination for a family trip—a chance to have a great adventure where raw beauties await and most destinations aren’t fully explored. From the unique culture to beautiful sceneries, Sumba is guaranteed to always keep you on your toes.
Let us unveil the hidden treasures of Sumba for you. Here are 15 unforgettable things to do in Sumba island!
Read Also: Before You Visit: A Crash Course on Sumbanese Culture
14 Unforgettable Things to Do in Sumba Island
1. Experiencing Traditional Ceremonies
Source: Movie Charleen Magne via Shutterstock
Source: Movie Charleen Magne via Shutterstock
Sumba is an island that still preserves their culture well until today. This charms tourists to come visit to the island, especially when it comes to traditional ceremonies and their own unique festivities.
One of the most anticipated ceremonies in Sumba is called Pasola, a ceremony celebrated at Kodi, Lamboya, and Wanokaka in West Sumba.
Pasolas are held in February and March, specifically during the full moon. A traditional spear-fighting competition will take place between various tribes.
The objective of the ceremony is to spill blood between the tribes to please the Marapu gods, thus fertilizing the land and ensuring a successful harvest.
There are essentially no winners in the competition, but the two teams should wield spears and wear traditional ikat garments while riding horses.
Other than getting your adrenaline pumping from watching this traditional extreme sport, you can also visit and try out some snacks from temporary snack stalls opened by the locals.
Afterwards, watch as the local women place offerings on the tombs and chant ritual songs to draw in nayle worms. Once one is spotted, a chicken will be sacrificed as a mark that the Pasola has officially begun.
Read Also: The Intricate Art behind Sumbanese Weaving: Motifs, Significance, and Process
2. Exploring Megalithic Tombs
If you enjoy tracing the history of civilization up until the world becomes what we know today, then exploring megalithic tombs should be part of your itinerary.
Some megalithic sites are spread all over the Sumba island, but perhaps one of the most notable of them all is Anakalang.
Anakalang is a society and a megalithic site known for its quadrangular adzes and numerous megalithic tombs.
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3. Learning Sumbanese Culture in Sumba Cultural Research and Conservation Institute
Aside from experiencing Sumba’s ceremonies and learning its rich history, you can dive deeper into their culture at Sumba Cultural Research and Conservation Institute.
This place offers various artifacts from different tribal communities in Sumba. It even features a detailed reconstruction of the many different types of traditional houses.
If you want to make your visit more authentic, you can participate in a tour of nearby local villages offered by the museum. There, you can directly witness how the locals preserve their tradition and pass it down to the next generation.
4. Watching Locals Weave Rice Granaries at Waikabubak
One of the local traditional villages you should visit is Waikabubak in West Sumba. Aside from having cooler weather and an amazing view of its forested hill, the village also has fascinating history and culture.
To experience and to see the culture more further, you can even hire a local guide to explain the history and the culture better. They will bring you to art shops and local homes where the local women weave traditional baskets of various sizes from rice granaries.
The weaving materials are made from the fiber of Melinjo, a fruit from a native tree that can also be made into crackers.
5. Weaving Traditional Ikat at Kampung Tarung
Located not far from Waikabubak village, Kampung Tarung offers another great insight into the lives of Sumbanese. Here, you can learn how to weave beautiful traditional textiles known as Ikat.
The textile mostly has patterns depicting animals and tribal designs whose production takes up to a year. Clothes made from ikat are usually worn at important ceremonies as a way of showing social status.
Read Also: Top 10 Reasons Why Visiting Sumba is Worth It
6. Marveling the Beauty of Waimarang Waterfall
If you’re up to some trekking, be sure to do so with Waimarang Waterfall in mind. This destination has blue waters with beautiful rock formations all around it.
Better yet, you can experience the refreshing water by swimming in it, so be sure to bring along your bathing suit.
7. Going to Matayangu Waterfall
Another waterfall you should pay a visit is Matayangu Waterfall. The name Matayangu literally means “stop here” in Sumbanese. The name came from the local belief that ancestral Marapu spirits dwell here.
The waterfall flows through a crack in the cliff wall and is 75 meters in height. It’s located in the Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park, where you can also find unique flora and fauna including seven butterfly species native to Sumba!
8. Sunbathe at Mandorak Beach
Be prepared to spoil your eyes; the turquoise water and white sand beach of this wonderful lagoon looks like it comes straight out of a painting.
This place is also within walking distance to Weekuri Lake, a saltwater lagoon that reflects a beautiful emerald shimmer under the sun.
You can enjoy the waters by swimming around, paddling in a boat, or observing the lovely corals that grow there.
9. Surf at Marosi Beach
Where other beaches in Sumba have calmer waves, the one at Marosi Beach is a little more challenging and perfect for surfing.
The pretty pinkish of the sand also gives it a dreamy look. You can even see a hill towering in the middle of the sea, completing the beach’s picturesque view.
10. Visiting the Local Marketplace
If you want to have something to remember Sumba by, be sure to visit the local souvenir markets. Look for some Sumbanese ikat weave; find everything from small head wraps to gorgeous dresses.
Other than shopping for souvenirs, you should also keep an eye out for local cuisines. Sumba is famous for its seafood, particularly Bokosawu Nyale which is made from sea worms.
Read Also: 7 Gorgeous Places for Sightseeing in Sumba, Indonesia
11. Exploring Sumba’s Biggest Waterfall at Waikelo Sawah
When you visit to Sumba island, you need to explore this waterfall.
Flowing at a speed of 1,000 liters per second, Waikelo Sawah was formerly part of a government-operated hydroelectric power plant established in 1976 on Sumba.
The swift and powerful current plays a vital role in sustaining the flourishing rice fields and acts as a crucial water source for the locals, meeting their daily needs such as washing and leisurely baths.
Nestled among the verdant foliage at the foothill, this waterfall is surrounded by several impressive caves. As a result, it forms an extraordinary natural architectural marvel – a cave lagoon embellished by the stunning emerald green scenery and an entrance crafted from the most exotic stones.
12. Walking Around Bawana Beach
Take a picture of yourself standing on a sandy beach with a tall and picturesque cliff arch in the backdrop – an experience bound to be etched in your most cherished photographic memories.
On the beach, you’ll be able to witness its unique arch – essentially a significant gap in the rock formation standing steadfast against the incoming waves.
From a distance, the panorama at Bawana beach will bring to mind the breathtaking green cliffs of Ireland. You’ll behold expansive stretches of pristine beach with waves crashing along the grand cliff.
13. Take a Great Picture at Watu Parunu Beach
If you are looking for a great pict in Sumba, you can discover Watu Parunu Beach. There is clear azure waters alongside gentle white sands, and coconut trees neatly arranged along the shore. Scale the summit of the rock formation – the panorama is truly breathtaking, so ensure you have a reliable selfie stick with you.
Watu Parunu is perfect for swimming; however, if you’re inclined toward surfing, it’s advisable to visit the nearby Kalala beach, renowned for some of the finest waves on the island.
14. Mesmerizing Your Eyes in Warinding Hills
The unspoiled savannah presents a mesmerizing view, characterized by rolling stretches of green grass extending to the horizon, offering a perfect environment to relax and revitalize following a lengthy hike. Appreciate the sight of limestone hills adorned with abundant greenery.
Let the soft winds envelop your skin and allow your mind to drift in the tranquility of a setting where there’s only you and the natural surroundings. Although the savannah displays a vivid green color during the rainy season, it undergoes a remarkable change into a stunning field of gold in the dry season, evoking the exotic beauty of a desert savannah!
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Penulis artikel: Sheila Lalita
Foto utama oleh: Melisa Wahyu via Unsplash
