East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara Province

The Capital City of East Nusa Tenggara Province is “Kupang”

In many ways East Nusa Tenggara is different from the rest of Indonesia. It is geographically and culturally, a border area where the transition from Asia to Australia  and Micronesia takes place.The island is formed by the protruding peaks of mountain chain which begin in the north of Sumbawa, stretching across Jawa toward the east. But where  as Sumatera, Java and Kalimantan are separated from each other the Asian mainland by shallow seas, the island of Nusa Tenggara have apparently always been separated from the Asian landmass by deep sea beds.

The arrid landscape of eastern and south eastern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot dry winds that come blowing from the Australian continent. In many coastal areas not a drop a rain falls during most of the year. Temperatures vary from hot in coastal areas to very cool in the mountains, sometimes, reaching 5⁰ to 7⁰ Celcius. To many modern naturalist, what makes East  Nusa Tenggara so particularly interesting is not the animal species it shares with other parts of the world, but the one which it doesn’t : “The Komodo Giant Lizard Dragon”.Called “Ora” by the local population, the Komodo Dragon “Varanus Komodoensis” is actually a giant monitor lizard. Growing up to 3 to 4 meters in length, it’s ancestors roamed the earth up to about half a million years ago. Discovered in 1911 by Dutch army officer, it is at present a protected species, found only on the island of Komodo and a few other islands nearby, off the western tip of Flores.

The Komodo nature reserve is now part of a national park. The island itself is almost all hills covered with grassland, brushes lontar palms and some woodland. It is home to a number of rare bird species, deers and wild digs which are prey to the Lizard Dragons.The only human habitation on Komodo consists of a cluster of thatched huts on stilts and a mosque. The park, is now fully operational and offers adequate visitor facilities. The Komodo National Park includes a marine reserve with fine mangrove stands and corals in crystal clear waters.The East Nusa Tenggara main islands are Flores and Sumba. Besides 563 other small islands such as Roti, Sabu, Alor, Lembata, etc. Their megalithic tombs and native villages still remains the past. It’s unspoilt beaches, megalithic tombs, traditional “ikat” glorious weaving, magnificent folk dancing and traditional dancing will enhance your experience.

Lake Kalimutu is an unactive mountain and lokated 1,600 above sea level in Central Flores.  The Lake has been choosen as wonder of the world with it’s colorfull water in three different colours blank, dark red and dark blue, caused by mineral which are disolved in it. The panorama from the crater rim is unbelievable.Komodo island is home of the giant lizard, where located between the island of Sumbawa and Flores. The island is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the sea, ideal for snorkeling and pearl diving. The best months for visiting the island are from March to June.

Kupang

The provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara in West Timor has a population of about 200.000 which makes it the largest urban center of Nusa Tenggara. The Museum Kupang has on display itmes of historical and cultural value. Lasiana Beach, 10 kilometers from the city, is the popular place for outings.

Kupang was an important port and trading point during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras. There are ruins and remnant signs of the colonial presence in the city. Representatives of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) approached Kupang in 1613 after having conquered the Portuguese fort on Solor. At this time the place and its hinterland was governed by a raja of the Helong tribe which claimed descent from Ceram in Maluku. Kupang was well situated for strategic control over parts of Timor, since it was possible to monitor shipping activities to the south coast of the island. Moreover, the Koinino River provided fresh water for the inhabitants. A VOC-Helong agreement was made, but due to the lack of VOC commitment on Timor, Kupang was later influenced by the Portuguese mestizo population of Flores, the Topasses. A Portuguese stronghold was established by the 1640s. However, the VOC was firmly established on Solor in 1646, and renewed contacts with the local raja. In January 1653 a Dutch fortification, Fort Concordia, was built on a height to the left of the river estuary. Kupang became the base of the Dutch struggle against the Portuguese. After a series of Dutch defeats in 1655, 1656 and 1657, large refugee groups from the VOC allies Sonbai and Amabi settled in the vicinity of Kupang in 1658 and formed small kingdoms on land that traditionally belonged to the Helong. They were followed by two other groups, Amfoan (1683) and Taebenu (1688). The Helong raja remained the "lord of the land" (tuan tanah) but was closely dependent on the VOC authorities. Apart from the old Helong territory, Timor was largely dominated by the Portuguese up to 1749.

The Dutch set up a European administration with a chief executive (opperhoofd) and a council. Affairs with the indigenous populations were regulated through regular meetings (vergaderingen). The Kupang administration handled affairs with the VOC-allied islands Rote, Savu and Solor. Chinese traders and artisans settled by the early 18th century and soon became indispensable for the economic life. The town area was also settled by various indigenous groups from the region, and by mardijkers who were non-whites under Dutch jurisdiction. In 1752 the population was 827 Christians and an unspecified number of non-Christians. The political importance of Kupang on a Timor-wide level increased greatly in 1749 when the Topasses were decisively defeated by the Dutch and their allies, which led to the extension of VOC influence over wide areas of western and central Timor. Nevertheless, some of this influence contracted after 1761 due to incompetence and inaction on the part of the colonial administration.

Traditional Costumes

The East Nusa Tenggara costume and it's ornamentis considered describle glory, bravery, and saintlines for user.The Amarasi men, who are part of Dawan tribes in West Timor, usually wear Pilu (hat) from Batik printing or specified Flores hat, shoulder belts (Po'uk) and a kind of sheath or Taimuti.There is general common in East Nusa Tenggara especially in Timor ad Sumba to wear crossway over their shoulders Kapisak or Aluk, which is made from leaf plait or squared linen.The Amarasi women wear two pieces of weaved textiles as body-cover which are Tais or Tarunat and shoulder-belt.In their foreheads adorned with a so-well-known-salled Pato Ebon.

The objects of interests are:

The Soe, Mount Kelimutu, Lake Kelimutu, Komodo Island, Komodo National Park, Jopu, Traditional Hand Weaving Villages, Sao Wisata Resort, Ledalero, Melolo & Sumba, Waiawa, Ende, Labuhan Bajo, Lamalera Whale Hunting, Flores Island, The Konga, The Karo Beach & Oa Beach, The Oka Springwater, Prosesi Jum’at Agung, The Chatolic Graveyard Larantuka, “Seni & Budaya Daerah” Festival, Meting Doeng, The Mudakaputu ‘s Culture, The Stone of  Nopin Jaga, The Mistery of Lake Waibelen, Port Henriques Castle, Lahayong, Jami Al – Ma’ruf Mosque, Traditional Toben Lewo Ceremony, The Wureh, Kawaliwu, The Riangpedang Culture, The Riangsunge Beach, Karawatung, The Van Den Borgh Monument, Harubala, The Deri Beach, Benteng Portugis Adonara.

Transportation

Most destinations on the island of Lombok could be reached from Mataram by bus or minibus or by Bemo. Buses also link Mataram with destinations on the island of Sumbawa, with ferries and boats providing the means of transport to the surrounding islands.Kupang, on the island of Timor, is East Nusa Tenggara’s provincial capital and main gateway. Run regular services between Kupang and Denpasar in Bali. Other destinations served by regular air services are Ruteng, Labuhan Bajo, Bajawa, Ende, Maumere and Larantuka on the island of Flores, and Waingapu on Sumba. Ferries, motorboats and cars provide the remaining services.

For complete information you could have on the “Text Book Guiding To Indonesia” By F. I. Fatrick.