People and Culture
The people of Sumba are a mixture of Malays and Melanesians. Through in the first part of in the 20th Century missionary activities took place, today around 65% of the population, at least outwardly are Christians; other people (25 to 30%) practice the Marapu traditional religion. Even today, there are distinct social groups (castes) in the population with feudal-like structures. Ancestor worship has for the Sumbanesian people great importance. The ritual slaughter of animals at weddings, funerals and other cultural events is an important integral part of their life. Every February the Pasola festival is held, which is one of the most popular traditional festivals in Indonesia. The life of the inhabitants Sumba’s is marked by traditional rites and for the visitor the impressive megalithic tombs and ancient Clan settlements with their special architecture are visible.
Traditionally, the production of cloth with the Ikat weaving technique plays a major role. These draperies are world famous among connoisseurs. The weaving of these Ikat plays for the women in Sumba, a major role. The cloth is worn for important ceremonies and also to show their social status. The finest varieties of Ikat are taken to the grave with the woman but because she thinks it will be extremely useful for her.
The plots in the eastern Sumba Ikat have mostly figurative motifs, in the West, they are rather abstract. It takes two years working for an Ikat clothing.