Located in East Nusa Tenggara, Flores is one of the fascinating and beautiful islands you certainly don’t want to miss, especially after encountering the majestic Komodo Dragon in its lair. Known for its natural beauty, Flores showcases its pristine lakes, mysterious caves, and amazing waterfalls, as well as the exotic underwater life of the Flores Sea and its amazing sea creatures. Beyond its natural wonders, Flores is also rich in history and culture, with its traditional villages, historical sites, and cultural events. Immerse yourself in the unique customs and character of the local people as you explore these Flores traditional villages on your next visit.
Wae Rebo Village
One of the most well-known traditional villages is Wae Rebo village, with its unique house rooftop characteristic (also known as Mbaru Niang). It is tall, cone-shaped, covering from the top to just slightly above the ground. Located at an elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level in the Manggarai regency, Wae Rebo offers relatively cold air while you are surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of mountains and tropical forests during your visit. The village has no mobile coverage and a limited electricity supply throughout the day as it is located remotely.
Wae Rebo village consists of 7 houses inhabited by around 1,200 people. These houses consist of 5 levels, in which each level has its own distinct purposes. These levels served as family living quarters, an attic for food or goods storage, seed storage, a food stock reserve in case of drought, and an offering place for the ancestors. One of the houses is the ceremonial house, which also functions as a community building for ceremonies or ritual purposes for the people.
Bena Village
Another beautiful village in Flores, Bena Village, is located on top of the hill with Mount Inerie in the background, making it such a breathtaking landscape. It is one of the most well-known and visited in Ngada Regency for its impressive stone formations, ancestral shrines, and traditional houses. Located at the bottom of the mountain, it shows how they believed in the existence of Yeta God, who had a throne on Mount Inerie to protect their village. The village houses are made out of bamboo and wood called Oja, gathered from the surrounding forest.
The village has a unique house arrangement with its circular shape forming a letter U, and the roof decoration of these houses differs from the others as it is based on the lineage of powers and lives in them. It has around 45 houses surrounding each other that are inhabited by 9 tribes. In the middle of the village, there are buildings called Nga’du and Bhaga, which symbolize the village ancestors, with kisanatapat as a ceremony to communicate with them. You can also buy their souvenirs, such as locally crafted ikat or sarong with various motifs.
Saga Traditional Village
Saga Traditional Village stands on the highest hilltop at the southern tip of Saga Village in Ende Regency. It is the residence of one of the oldest tribes in Flores, named Ende-Lio. Prepare your energy, as you need to climb through a number of stairs to reach the top and get to the traditional village. The village is claimed to have been inhabited by 13 generations or has existed for around 800 years. And so, if you’re planning to go to Kelimutu Lake, you could definitely put this on your list of visits since it is nearby.
In this village, the traditional houses are called Sa’o. It was made of plank walls with thatched roofs. It is in the form of a stilt that stands on 9 stones as its foundation. There are 32 traditional houses, with residents who have different roles. The house's walls are decorated with reliefs and may have many ancestral relics. The graves and tombstones of their ancestors are still well maintained, as they often still pray and perform traditional rituals. They also hold a traditional feast every year in the first week of September to express gratitude for the blessings obtained throughout the year, which guests can now attend.
Todo Village
Todo Village, the birthplace of Mbaru Niang traditional houses, is located in a valley in Manggarai regency. It was once the center of the ancient Todo Kingdom and the Minangkabau civilization. The past kings of Manggarai, who originated from the village, were chosen by the Dutch during colonial times to rule over Manggarai, strengthening their past dominance over Manggarai inhabitants. Todo Village surely offers interesting historical values and beautiful natural surroundings in Flores.
Over the centuries, Todo's traditional houses have transformed from their previous resemblance to the Minang culture known as rumah Gadang. Traces of the Minangkabau people can also be seen in the carvings on the houses, gravestones, handwoven textiles, house pillars, and tombstones. Nowadays, these houses serve as ceremonial houses and hold village sacred items that are used to communicate with their ancestors. Visitors could also explore and buy the handwoven textiles named Songke Todo with unique village motifs.
Each of these traditional villages in Flores always has something unique to offer. From meeting the local people and getting to know and learn about their life and culture, to exploring the building of the villages. It is a truly unforgettable experience you must try at least once in your life, especially for those who seek to explore history and culture-related trips. So whether you are planning to go to Flores or just visiting the area nearby, consider taking a short stop here visiting these traditional villages and experience it yourself.
