SUMBA is one of the poorest but most fascinating islands of Nusa Tenggara.  The island is roughly oval in shape, dry and undulating. The greatest concentration of those who worship spirits--ancestral and those of the land--is found in west part where two–thirds of the population hold on to their own traditional belief.  It is here where mysterious adat rituals take place, “Pasola”, a yearly spectacular festival where hundreds of horseman fling spears at each other.  The government allows the ritual to take place, but the spears must be blunt.

Topographically the island looks quite different from the volcanic islands to the north, its countryside characterized by low limestone hills and fields of maize and cassava.  The extensive grasslands made Sumba one of Indonesia’s leading horse-breeding islands.  Horses are a symbol of wealth and status and have traditionally been used as part of the bride-price.

The island has the richest tribal culture centered on a religious tradition called Merapu and also well-known for its beautiful white sandy beach, unusual peak thatched clan houses and giant megalithic graves and stone tombs.  Many traditional houses are decked with huge buffalo horns and pigs’ jaws from past sacrifices.

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