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Brief History
Flores
Flores is a Portugese name which means "flower" and ideally describes the beauty
to be found here. This long island between Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and
mountains dividing it into several distinct regions with individual languanges and
traditions. Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portugese, there are many
examples of a strong European cultural heritage like Easter procession held in Larantuka,
and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.
Sumba
Formerly known as the Sandalwood Island, Sumba is now famous for its horses and an
excellent style of ikat cloth. Spirits, both ancestral and natural are worshipped.
Although some exist in East Sumba, It is in West Sumba that there are a number of enormous
megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. It is here
where incredible rituals take place, such as "Pasola" where hundreds of horsemen
fling spears at each other in an annual ritual. Many traditional ceremonies, all with a
component paying homage to the spirits, take place from July to October including the
building of adat or traditional houses and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water
buffaloes, horses, and dogs are sacrified. Other ceremonies include "Pajura" or
traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October and November, horse races
and ritual dances.
Timor
Timor is the principal island in the province in terms of population and it is here that
the provincial capital of Kupang is located. Timor is rich in culture, beautiful scenery,
and magnificent wildlife. Composed of mainly dry, rocky land, sheltering isolated
communities, a variety of architectural styles has developed. Unlike other parts of East
Nusa Tenggara, the roads in Timor are generally good and public transportation is
relatively well developed. Kupang in fact, is being developed as the Gateway to Nusa
Tenggara with regular, direct flights to and from Darwin in Australia as well as with the
rest of the archipelago. |