Sikka Natar-Sikka Regency-Flores island

The village of Sikka (natar means ‘village’ in the local language), with its pleasant sea view on the south coast, is one of the first places of Portuguese influence and Catholic missionary activity in Flores. Therefore this is a place to take a leap into the past and learn about Sikkanese history, such as the colonial era.

The former center of the Kingdom of Sikka features a big church, which was built with the support of Jesuit priests in 1899. Its inside walls are nicely decorated with local ikat motifs. During the rule of the Sikkanese royal palace, the church was not only a place to hold Holy Communion, but was also used for the inauguration of new kings.

If by any chance you happen to be in Sikka Village at Christmas, you may witness a lasting example of Portuguese influence in the church: Toja Bobu, a dance-drama which was brought to Sikka by the Portuguese, and that is traditionally performed on the 26th of December. In brief, the story is about a beautiful, young princess being courted by many men with all kinds of occupational backgrounds who all eagerly want to marry her. For the luxury loving, spoiled princess, however, these wooers are not wealthy enough; so she finally marries a rich nobleman. Unfortunately, the performances are rarely held nowadays. The Sikkanese Sanggar Gere Bue, a cultural workshop group, tries to fight the loss of this old cultural tradition by reviving Toja Bobu and interpreting the performance in a modern way, without losing its originality.

Sikka Village has been, and still is, one of East Flores’ most important and famous weaving centers. Be prepared to be beleaguered by women who, of course, would like you to acquire a piece of their artwork. As in other villages, visitors to Sikka also have the opportunity to see – by pre-arrangement and for a fee – the complete steps of ikat-weaving, including the dyeing of the threads with natural colors.

Text: www.florestourism.com
Photography: Leonardus Nyoman

Riung Marine Pak - Riung 17 Islands

Riung Marine Pak - Riung 17 Islands
Ngada-Flores island-Indonesia

The sub-district of Riung, located to the north of Bajawa, is famed for its beautiful coral gardens. The coast and the surrounding area of the town of Riung have become a national conservation area, and were even given the status of a national park and named Pulau Tujuhbelas, or ‘Seventeen Islands’. In fact, the national park consists of more than 20 small and larger islands. The local people, though, have named the area ‘Riung Seventeen Islands’, a label that is easy to remember as it refers to the personification of a beautiful 17-year-old girl and also Indonesian Independence Day on the 17th of August.
Island life
The national park area is inhabited by various exotic species, e.g. the Timor deer, hedgehogs, monkeys, ferrets, the Timor monitor lizard, marsupials, and partridges. The large variety of birds, such as eagles, white herons, black storks, partridges etc, make the area a great spot for bird watching.
Even a moderate-sized species of a Komodo dragon named Mbou is said to exist in some regions such as Torong Padang, where it has been spotted in particular seasons only. It has hardly ever been encountered by either the conservation management or tourists.
The marine park status has been established to preserve the area’s underwater world. The Seventeen Islands area encompasses a rich coral-reef ecosystem where you can count up to 27 different species of coral. The Riung waters are home to plenty of exciting animals, ranging from marine mammals such as dolphins and whales to various colorful fish.  The crystal-clear water makes it a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography.
The biggest island is the hilly Ontoloe,  which is covered with short grass and a few trees, as well as fringed with mangroves. On the north coast of Ontoloe, you can observe the famous large fruit bats, called ‘flying foxes’, flying over the mangrove trees.
A visit to Kalong, the ‘Flying Fox Island’, gives you the opportunity to see these fascinating animals as they fly into the sunset. The island of Bampa Barat is a temporary home to several fishermen, who sometimes sell their catch of the day directly from the boat.
If you plan to see the national park, you should also take some time for visiting Riung Village (Riung), as it offers you the possibility of unique cultural encounters. Lively celebrations of the Ngada people’s traditional hunting and boxing is just one part of their manifold cultural life.
Text : www.florestourism.com
Photo: Leonardus Nyoman (leonardus.nym@gmail.com)

TARIAN CACI-MANGGARAI-FLORES BARAT-INDONESIA

Tarian Caci merupakan suatu permainan adu ketangkasan antara dua orang laki-laki dalam mencambuk dan menangkis cambukan lawan secara bergantian. Tarian Caci terlihat begitu heroik dan indah karena merupakan kombinasi antara Lomes (keindahan gerak tubuh dan busana yang dipakai), Bokak (keindahan seni vokal saat bernyanyi) , dan Lime (ketangkasan dalam mencambuk atau menangkis cambukan lawan). Pemain Caci juga dibekali kemampuan olah vokal untuk bernyani , dimana setelah menangkis cambukan lawan seorang pemain Caci secara spontan bernyanyi dan menyampaikan Paci .

Paci merupakan ungkapan berisi nama samaran atau alias dari pemain Caci tersebut yang berisi ungkapan tentang keberadaan dirinya, siapa dia atau sosok yang dia dambahkan. Tujuan dari Paci yaitu untuk mempengaruhi lawan menantang lawan dan juga untuk memotivasi atau meggelorakan semangat dari dalam diri. Kostum yang dikenakan pemain Caci sangat atraktif dan melambangkan keunikan dan karakter budaya yang dimiliki oleh orang Manggarai seperti: “Panggal” (penutup kepala) berbentuk tanduk kerbau dan salah satu lambang yang ditempatkan pada bagian kerucut atap rumah adat Manggarai. Melambangkan “rang” (kharisma dan kekuatan) orang Manggarai. “Ndeki” (berbentuk kuncir kuda) terbuat dari rotan yang dipilin dengan bulu ekor kuda, di tempatkan pada bagian ping gang, melambang kan kejantanan dan keperkasaan.

Pesona dan daya pikat lelaki Manggarai, sebagaimana seekor kuda jantan yang mengangkat ekor untuk memikat daya tarik sang betina. Sarung songke yang diikat sepanjang lutut, melambangkan kesantunan dan sikap patuh orang Manggarai. Celana panjang putih melambangkan kepolosan, kemurahan dan ketulusan hati. Tubi Rapa dikenakan sebagai manik-manik yang di ikat pada bagian bawa dagu melambangkan kebesaran dan keagungan lelaki Manggarai. Nggorong (gemerincing) diikat pada bagian belakang pinggang.

Selendang leros dililit di pinggang dan dijuntai pada bagian depan sarung. Perlengkapan permainan Caci seperti Larik (Cambuk) terbuat dari kulit kerbau dan dipilin dengan anyaman rotan pada ujungnya, Nggiling (perisai) terbuat dari kulit kerbau untuk menangkis cambukan lawan, Agang (berbentuk busur) terbuat dari rotan atau dahan bambu dipakai untuk menangkis atau menahan gempuran lawan.

Permainan Caci dilakukan antara dua kelompok dari dua kampong yang berbeda. Kelompok tamu di sebut “Meka Landang” sedangkan tuan rumah disebut “Mori Beo”. Pada saat pemain Caci beradu di dalam arena, tuan rumah, pria dan wanita yang berada di luar arena melakukan Danding (bernyanyi lagu Mang ga ra i da l am bentuk lingkaran dengan gerakan berputar) disertai gerakan Sae oleh sepasang pria dan wanita di tengah lingkaran.

Sementara itu beberapa wanita duduk berkelompok sambil memukul gong dan gendang yang bertalutalu untuk menyorakkan suasana. Sasaran cambukan dari pemain Caci adalah bagian badan sebelah atas dari perut hingga kepala. Pemukulan di bagian bawah perut dianggap pelanggaran. Apabila mengenai wajah dinamai Beke . Pemain Caci yang mengalami Beke dinyatakan kalah, harus keluar dari arena permainan pulang ke rumah atau ke kampung halamannya. Permainan Caci dipertunjukkan pada upacara 'Penti' (syukuran setelah panen), Pesso Beo (selamatan kampung), menyambut pengantin baru, tamu penting, dan dalam upacara gembira lain seperti Perayaan Hari Ulang Tahun Kemerdekaan.

Text: sailkomodo2013.nttprov.go.id/index.php/2012-12-05-06-20-09/tarian-daerah/112-tarian-caci

Photo : Leonardus Nyoman / 08123662110

Photo Ebulobo and Inerie Volcano

Ebulobo Volcano-Nagekeo Flores island

Ebulobo Volcano-Nagekeo Flores island

Ebulobo Volcano-Nagekeo Flores island

Ebulobo Volcano-Nagekeo Flores island

Ebulobo Volcano-Nagekeo Flores island

Inerie Volcano-Ngada-Flores island

Inerie Volcano-Ngada-Flores island

Horse riding and trekking - Mbalata East Manggarai Flores island

Horse riding and trekking is our new product, this program combined with Flores adventure tours which start from Maumere in East Flores or Labuanbajo in West Flores. For horse riding and trekking located in Mbalata, start at 8 am from the beach of Mbalata, by horse riding to Watu Susu, a megalithic site of Rongga Koe in East Manggarai Regency. Horse riding takes for about 4 go and back hours then continue by trekking to see the graves and Batu Susu for about 1 hours, then ride back to the hotel.Savana, Aimere bay and Mount Ineria are the main landscape and sea view on the way to see, and also these megalithic site. more info: www.floresexotictours.com

The giant lotus (Victoria Amazonica) at Rana Tonjong Lake

Lake Rana Tonjong is located in Nanga Mbeling village, Sambi Rampas district, some 3 kilometer north of Pota. The lake spans 2,200 square kilometers and lies in low plains surrounded by hills in the west, north and south and paddy fields in the east. The whole lake is covered by the giant lotus (Victoria Amazonica), which bloom once a year from April to May. The lotus are endemic to the area.

This place can be reach by car from Ruteng for about 4 hours, can stay overnight in Pota at Teratai guest house.