SIKKA REGENCY

1. GEOGRAPHY
Steep surface with hills and
mountains, and sea shores is the
typical preview of Sikka regency
The topography of this regency is
quite the same with another
region in Flores island. The
capital city of Sikka, Mauere; is
lying in the North opposite
Sikka Regency several small islands.
Geographically, Sikka is
Bordered by Flores Sea in the North, East Flores Regency in the East, Sawu
Sea in the south and Ende Regency in the west. Sikka covers 1.731, 31 Km2
area of Flores island.

2. CLIMATE
Being near the equator line as Indonesia in general, Sikka has similar
climate with the other regions in East Nusa Tenggara Province; that is tropical
with dry season and rainy season. Dry season is started from April to October
and followed by rainy season from November until March. The average
temperature during all year is 27-33 ºC.

3. GOVERNMENT
Sikka regency is leaded by a regent. All government activity is centered
in the capital city of the regency that is Maumere city. This regency is divided
into 13 sub-districts and 233 villages.

4. LIVELIHOOD
Sikka is the most densely populated area in the province of east Nusa
Tenggara, therefore Sikka is a priority area for transmigration. Most of the
populations in Sikka are farmers who must clear new land for agriculture

2
 almost every year. Cultivating
the land is by a cooperative work
relationship known as Ua jung or
Soko or Hokot Seng in Sikka
(cycle work system) or Iring Ata
Ua Lakang (invite another farmer
to work in one’s land).Generally
newly cultivated land or Amak
Sikka Farming Field Weru is planted with the rice for
two seasons. The third season it
is used it is usually with corn or plants of the bean family. However, the
agricultural process influenced by Lamtoro Gung motivates the farmers to
plant other crops such as coffee, cloves, cacao and vanilla.

5. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
The social stratification in this area is divided in to three classifications.
The highest stratification is called: Ina gete Ama Gahar followed by the Ata
Rinung and the lowest is Mepu or Maha. Those of the highest group own a
Lepo (big house) while the Ata Rinung is the ordinary people. The lowest
group is the Mepu, the servants of the Ina gete. The Maha are those who were
captured in war or bought as trade slaves but of course this stratification is not
recognized anymore.
The customs of Sikka community life are governed by a structure of
people known as the Watu Pitu that consists of Gai, Tana Puan, Kokokek,
Suwun, Gajon, Lepo Hoban, Urun Blon, Oamar Gehordan, and Uru Tada.

6. RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
Most of the population is Catholic, but there are also Moslem and
Christian minorities. However, the natives still believe in a highest
supernatural power. The people in Sikka also believe in the spirit of the earth
and the outer space express in Nitu Noan. The native also believe in good and
evil spirits. Dedung Dodor or plamming is the name of good spirit whose role
to care for human beings so they live in peace. Raga Regut or Jaga Papak
who’s to deliver human beings for endemic who bring disaster. Dua helang
are the evil spirit.

3
7. CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Generally, Sikka has only one mother tongue. However, at the borders of
Sikka, people speak different dialects, for example in Paga near the border
with Ende and Boru with East Flores.

8. ART ACTIVITIES
Sikka weaving is said to be one
aspect of local art which is
relatively developed. This kind of
art is found in all of Sikka. The
ikat has a grey weave, with a blue
black background. The motif or
pattern maybe in the shape of
flower and even a natural motif
Sikka’s Ikat Weaving Pattern
such as cock or crack. Another
accessories that is commonly
used along with the clothes are
‘Keris’ (a kind of small sword with zig-zag pattern) and a big bracklet form
men and for women, her knot of hair is decorated with three hair pins and
wearing a gold necklace.

9. SPECIAL EVENTS
• Cultural Arts Festival
On August every year, there is a festival that is usually held in Maumere,
the capital city of Sikka regency, participated by 40 arts and cultural
groups from all over Sikka regency. This is a selection event for the
representative of Flores-Lembata-East Nusa Tenggara festival and national
festival of arts and culture
• Loka Po’o
This ceremony is originally from Wolowiro, Gaikun, Bu Utara, Bu
Selatan, Renggarasi, Nduaria Detumbingga and Woloata cultural village
within Paga sub-regency territory. This is celebrated to welcome the rice
planting season expecting for a yearly fruitful rice harvest. This ceremony
is usually held on September.

4
 • Toja Bobu
On December, a kind of
traditional drama and dance
retelling the engagement of
princess Priseja and
Maskadat from Lela sub-
regency is held. This
traditional drama and dance is
called Toja Bobu.
Traditional Instruments in Toja Bobu

10. TOURISM OBJECT

a. Lepo Kirek
Lepo Kirek is a traditional house that belongs to Lepo Kirek family from
Hewokloang Village. This house enriches with cultural heritage collection,
such as the Giand Ivory, Chinese Porcelain, and the other local artifacts.

b. Pati Karabau
Pati Karabau is a traditional people party which is held as a joyous and
thanks giving day. This is a fantastic and interesting event where,
traditional attractions like music, dance, and the other traditional ceremony
shown. The main ceremony of Pati Karabau event is the day of killing
buffaloes. All people provide their own buffaloes to the slaughter
determined to kill by Mosalaki or the landlord. This event is celebrated to
show joy, and the symbol of worship to their ancestor.

c. Jong Dobo
Jong Dobo is an ancestral heirloom from Donsong era called miniature
bronze Boat. This thing is still kept by the local people in Dobo Village
which is only 17 kilometers away to the eastward from Maumere.

5
d. Bikon Blewut Museum
Bikon Blewut Museum is the
biggest and most complete
museum in East Nusa
Tenggara province. Here you
can find some interesting and
valuable collections from
local people, Indonesia, and
even from the over seas, in
Bikon Blewut Museum Collections the form of fossils, artifacts,
and the others.
The exhibition shows the ikat weaving from Manggarai, Ile Ape, Kedang,
Alor, Dawan, Tetun, Rote, Sabu, Sumba, etc. The currency of Indonesia in
the colonial time and ORI (Oeang Republik Indonesia) is also displayed
and constantly up-dated.
Another collections that can be found there are as follows:

Decorative cultural exhibits such as gold and silver ornaments,
ivory, beads, and sarongs regionally classified

Sharp rifles

Ceramics from Sung and Ming Dynasty and from Europe

Stagedon (ancient elephants) fossils and seashells

Gems and statues

e. Semparong Lake
This is a blue lake of Semparong in Sukun island with a beautiful
panorama surrounding makes this resort becomes the tourist arrival target.
It takes about six hours there. While sailing to the Sukun island, we can
also enjoy rows of the island groups in Maumere Bay

6
f. Sea Garden of Maumere
The Panorama of Maumere Sea Garden
Internationally known since 1975.
This is one of the best sea
garden complete with an
excellent seawater, colorfull
corals, fishes and the other
marine life. At Waiwara
beach, about 11 kilometers in
the east of Maumere
accommodation can be
arranged at either the Sao
Resort or Sea World Club,

g. Natural Tourism Park of Wairterang

It is located in the East of Maumere and about 31 km to Larantuka (East
Flores). This tourism park is often visited on vocation as a nice place.
Wairterang National Park provides some verities of flora and fauna. One
of them is the beautiful scenery of The Lushness tree and coolness
weather.

h. Kajuwulu Beach
Kajuwulu beach is located about 9 kilometers in the west of Maumere.
This s a white-sandy beach completed with the panorama of Lushness and
Mangrove tree and another trees along this beach. The water is calm, very
suitable for recreation as bathing, diving, swimming and fishing.

i. Palue Island
Palue Island is a separated island which is located in the north part of this
regency. Palue Island can be reached in 3-4 hours by motorboat. This
island has white-sandy beaches and colorful corals like a park which is
created by an experienced architect. Meanwhile, the fish are swimming
around the coral.

7
11. ACCOMODATION
1. How to get there
Sikka regency can be
reached by any kinds of
transportation; land
transportation, sea
transportation and air
transportation. Air
tranprotation is as Kupang-
Maumere, Waingapu-
Wai Oti Airport Maumere or Denpasar-
Maumere. By national
shipping lines can be from Waingapu-Maumere, Ende-Maumere,
Larantuka-Maumere, or Ujung Pandang-Maumere. Land transportation
can be from Larantuka-Maumere, or Manggarai-Ngada-Ende-Maumere.
Wai Oti can be landed by Foker 28 of Pelita Airlines and Merpati
Nusantara Airlines. Two bus terminals were built; Locaria Terminal for
east line and Madawat Terminal for west line.

2. Supporting Facilities

• Hotels
a. Benggoan Losmen
Jln. Moa Toda
Telp. (0382) 21041
b. Bogor 1 Hotel
Jln. Sugiopranoto No.2
Telp. (0382) 21191
c. Egon Pondok Wisata
Desa Wodong Kec Talibura Sikka
d. Jaya Hotel
Jln. Hasanuddin 26
Telp. (0382) 21292
e. Kharisma Hotel
Jln. Sudirman No.30
Telp. (0382) 21223

8
 f. Koja Toa Hotel
Jln. Moan Subu Dadipun
Telp. (0382) 22147
g. Mbu Wisata
Jln. Lawalabo Rt.13/07
h. Pantai Wodong Hotel Wairterang Tau Bura
Km.26
i. Puncak Wisata Lusiana
Jln. Kolombeke
j. Sugonian Hotel
Jln. Dua Toru No.7
Telp. (0382) 21692

• Restaurants
a. Sumber Indah
Jln. Raja Sentis Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21375
b. Depot Matahari
Jl. Raja Sentis Maumere.
Telp. (0382) 22685
c. Bangkalan,
Jln. Mangga, Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21672
d. Ikan Mas
Jln. Hassanuddin, Maumere.
Telp. (0382) 21667
e. Flamboyan
Jln. Banding, Maumere
Telp. (0380)21375

9
• Banks
a. Bank Negara Indonesia (National Indonesian Bank)
Jln. Soekarno-Hatta No. 4 Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21971
b. Bank Danamon

Jln. Raya Centis No. 15, Maumere

Telp. (0382) 22022

c. Bank Pembangunan Daerah

Jln. Nong Meak Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21440
d. Bank Rakyat Indonesia
Jln. Jend. A. Yani Maumere
Telp. (0382) 22206

• Important addresses
a. Tourism and Cultural Department Office
Jln. Wairklau No. 50, Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21652
b. Central Police Office
Jln. Jend. A. Yani maumere
Telp. (0382) 21131
c. RSUD (Region Public Hospitals)
Jln. Kesehatan Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21129
d. Post Office
Jln. Kota Baru Maumere
Telp. (0382) 21042

10
 e. Souvenir Shop
Atabing Kota Pena
Jln. Gajah Mada No. 11
Telp. (0382)

• Travel Agency
a. Cahaya Sikka
Jln. Mao Tada Maumere
Telp. (0382)
b. Agen Merpati
Jln.
Telp. (0382) 21342

Reference:
Akomodasi Hotel non Bintang - Kementrian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata_Deputi Bidang
Pengembangan Produk dan Usaha Pariwisata. Compact Disc (CD)
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 Propinsi Nusa
Tenggara Timur. 2006
Mosaik Pariwisata Nusa Tenggara Timur

11