EAST SUMBA REGENCY

1. GEOGRAPHY
East Sumba is one of two
regencies which lie in Sumba
Island. This regency is boredered
by Sumba strait in the north,
Sawu sea in the east, Hindia
ocean in the south and West
Sumba regency in the west. The
topography of this regency is
East Sumba Regency quite similar to the West Sumba
regency, that is quite rocky but
completed with several area of forest and grass field. East Sumba covers the
area of about 7000,5 km2

2. CLIMATE
The climate in East Sumba regency is similar to every region in East
Nusa Tenggara province, or in general; all regions in Indonesia, that is tropical
with rainy and dry season. Rainy season starts from October until May and the
dry season starts from June until September. The weather in east Sumba
regency, especially in Waingapu is quite cool and mild. This means the
average of temperature only lies between 18 and 20 degree of Celcius.

3. GOVERNMENT
The capital city of East Sumba Regency is Waingapu, a small city
which is located about 137 km away from Waikabubak (the capital city of
West Sumba). This city is located in the coastline of Waingapu bay. All
government activities of East Sumba regency are centered and focused in this
city. This region is leaded by a regent. The wide area of 7000,5 km2 then
divided into 15 sub-districts, they are Kota Waingapu, Pandawai, Uma Lulu,
Rindi, Pahunga Lodu, Wulla Waijilu, Paberiwai, Karera, Matawai La Pau,
Kahaungu Eti, Pinu Pahar, Tabundung, Lewa, Nggaha Ori Angu and Haharu.

2
4. LIVELIHOOD
The inhabitants of East
Sumba generally make their
living by breeding cows
particularly the Ongole type,
which they called ‘white cow’.
The cattle free graze on the dry
tall grass field. The cattle
products are exported or sold to
Agriculture farm in Lewa Surabaya and Jakarta. Cattle
possession decides one’s social
status. Agricultural land is found in limiter areas as in Lewa valley, 45 km
from Waingapu.

5. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Generally, the social stratification of Sumba (including in West
Sumba) comprises of three levels. The top one is Maramba; which consists of
Kings and nobles person. The second is the Kabihu; the middle person
between Kings and their people, this Kabihu also has a job as a guardian of the
soil. The lowest one is Ata; which consists of ordinary people until slaves.

6. RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
Like West Sumba, the
inhabitants of East Sumba still
follow their traditional belief. I.e.
Merapu, this belief is called a
religion since their system of
worship of the highest being is
quite formal. They believe in life
in this world, and eternal life in
Megalith, place for praying to Merapu the world of spirits in the Merapu
heaven of Prai Merapu. Any
spirit according to Merapu belief consists of two elements i.e. Ndewa and
Hamangu or Hamuwa. The Merapu consepts are teaching about the balance of
universal life, and through this balances the happiness that can be gained.

3
 Although, statistically most of the East Sumbanesse are Cristians
(Protestant and Catholic), but in fact most of them are still dominated by their
belief in Merapu.

7. CULTURE AND LANGUAGE

Sumba language is
usually grouped into Austronesia
languages. In East Sumba there is
only one main dialect. I.e.
Kambera. Other minor dialects
are Manggikua, Mawahgina,
Manggarai-Kuna, Manggooa,
Mangari and Mapani.
Talking about the culture,
East Sumba people, as same as their neighbor West Sumba still keep the
tradition that is still ran from generation to generation. Their traditional
ceremony, their art activities and many others still kept until this time. So if
you come to Sumba, do not have to wonder that their people live in their
culture,a nd follow the rules that has been given from their ancestors.

8. ART ACTIVITIES
The art of East Sumba
consists of literatute, songs,
music, dance, sculpture and
weaving. The traditional
literature is divided into two
main groups namely Lii Ndai
which are similar to myths and
Lii Pange Rangu that is a type of
East Sumba Ikat Weaving prose. East Sumba also has a
traditional musical instrument
called Jungga a type of zither, which has only two strings. Another musical
instrument is a gong called Ana Mongu / Lamba. There are sets of gongs
called Kabolulu (small gongs), Nggaha (Medium size gongs), and Katala
(large size gongs). In East Sumba there are more than a hundred types of
dances, but only some of them are well known such as Kadingangu,

4
 Kabungangu, Rinja, Wulu Manu, Ranjangu, Ludu Haringu Lamba and Renja
Apa.
The main handicraft is weaving. The weaving differs from that of West
Sumba both in its patterns and designs. Weaving in East Sumba is more
decorative with the designs of realistic animals, ancestors, spirits, flowers and
Mamoli (a type of finery). This traditional weaving are usually used for
customary garments, bride price, payment of finest, corpse covering,
ornaments, gifts and merchandises as well.

9. SPECIAL EVENTS

Riput Ceremony
Performed at Tabundun village, process of making Tenun Ikat or
tie-dye weaving textiles, originally from India, that has been traditional
textile heritages to the locals. This traditional ceremony usually held in
October

10. TOURISM OBJECT

a. Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach in Londalima
b. Praingkareha Waterfall
Not only in Bali, there is
also a beach in East Sumba called
Kuta. This beach is located in
Londalima, about 12 km from
Waingapu. This beach offers a
beautiful white sand and
fascinating natural anorama around
it. This place can be reached in
only half an hour from Waingapu.
Paringkareha waterfall is a
very natural tourism object in East
Sumba, this place is still kept as it
is in the past and there is no change
after several years. This place
offers a beautiful sightseeing of
natural waterfall and atmosphere of

5
 natural place, where there is no modern design of park or such things like
that.

c. Purukambera Beach
Purukambera beach is said
to be the most beautiful beach in all
over East Sumba regency. This
place offer a fascinating white
sandy beaches, and beautiful
underwater panorama. This place is
arranged to be the main tourism
object in East Sumba Regency.
This place is located in the northern part of East Sumba regency.

d. Kalala Beach
This is a beautiful beach
with white sand and interesting
natural panorama. This is also the
only place where you can find
Merlin fish. Tourist can surf here
and this place also quite suitable
for Merlin Fishing Competition
and another fishing tournament.
e. Tarimbang Beach
This is a white sandy beach
complete with nine level of wave
and very suitable for surfing. Its
wide-white sand also very suitable
for sun-bathing and the depth of
the sea completed with beautiful
corals and fish is very suitable for
diving activity.

6
11. ACCOMODATION
1. How to get there
Waingapu, the capital city of East Sumba Regency can be reached by air
and sea and land transportation. Through the air transportation, the journey
starts from El Tari airport in Kupang by the direct flight to Waingapu.
Through sea transportation, we can take the sea trip which is offered KM
Kelimutu of PT PELNI by ferry (small-sized ship). Through land
transportation we can go to Waingapu from Waikabubak, about 137 km
away and it takes about 4 hours travel.
2. Supporting Facilities
a. Hotel

Hermindo hotel
Jln. Melolo Kec Rindi Umalulu

Permata Pondok wisata
Jln. Kartini No. 10
Telp. (0387)21516

Hotel Merlin
Jln. Panjaitan No.25
Telp. (0387)

Hotel Sandalwood
Jln. Panjaitan No.23
Telp. (0387)

Hotel Surabaya
Jln. El Tari No.02
Telp. (0387)

Hotel Elim
Jln. A. Yani No.55
Telp. (0387)

Hotel Lima Saudara
Jln. Wanggameti No.02
Telp. (0387)

7
 b. Travel Agency

PT Een Haeser
Jln. Jend, Ahmad Yani No.32 Waingapu
Telp.(0387)

PT Andrew Jonathan
Jln. Yos Sudarso No.49 Waingapu
Telp.(0387)

Reference:
Akomodasi Hotel non Bintang - Kementrian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata_Deputi Bidang Pengembangan Produk
dan Usaha Pariwisata. Compact Disc (CD)
Mosaik Pariwisata Nusa Tenggara Timur
Nusa Tenggara Timur Gerbang Selatan Asia Pasifik - Dinas Pariwisata Nusa Tenggara Timur. Compact Disc
(CD)
Tourism Profile of East Nusa Tenggara – Dinas Pariwisata & Seni Budaya Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur.