Thirty Days Stepping On Sumba Island

Yohanes Dian Alpasa

In one discussion, someone with his western culture said that he saw the heaven but not God. There are many amazing places and so are man’s constructions. However, there are many people not believing in God.  In Sumba, I saw the heaven and God at once. The daily life and the spiritual expression were shown every Sunday. Unluckily, I cannot understand what actually happened so in its every single corner of this island still symbolizes poverty, even the extreme one. I know every adventure brings a lesson. I perceived some findings in Sumba, such as, certain language accent, original culture, a messy bureaucracy system, and a stagnant faith life at church.

Once again, in this island that I feel like a heaven, you can see God. Everywhere in this island, family tied is so honorable. They greet me friendly even though it’s the first visit of mine. I cannot get it in Bengkulu, Sumatra Island, my original region, or even in Yogyakarta, the city where I study theology. In this island, each people seem have competition to greet others. I experienced it in Waingapu and Praipaha, two places where I stayed during my stay. The word “Selamat” or “have a nice moment” in English is so familiar in my ears. Day by day, I feel closer and closer with the people.

Family tied was shown in scraping one’s nose to other’s nose to show close relationship and warm acceptance. Just second when two noses are touching each other, it’s enough to have a good relationship among Sumbanese. I like this practice, though I experienced just twice, one with an old emeritus priest and the other with an old lady. The second step to make good relationship among them is by firstly chewing areca nut and then some limestone wrapped in a betel leaf. The three subtances are mixedly chewed as the opening practice of acceptance whenever any guests are coming. I also did it in Sumba. They were so surprised to see that I seemed so familiar with such chewing practice. They didn’t know that I’ve been trained by Frans, a friend of mine from Sumba, studying Mathematics in Sarjanawiyata University in Yogyakarta. I learned that it tastes bitter first then it changes into tasteless and finally it tastes fresh. Such practice keeps our teeth strong and healthy besides it’s kind of cultural appreciation for the guests’ coming.

Sumba is dominated by hills and savana where people are free riding horse, and many cattle are scaterred anywhere. The landscape is dominated by brown color as bare land in the dry season. Water supplies are provided by local government water company through water pipes reaching some areas from several water springs surrounding Waingapu.

I also learn that family tied should be developed and not to make dependency but independency. One may help his siblings, however, he should makes priority especially for his children education and household needs. He should not let his family in suffering just because helping his siblings for parties in the name culture practice and prestige. However, in some villages, they have made limitation in slaughtering cattle just for cultural practices. At last, I have a dream to come again to Sumba, to see the heaven of beauty. ***