Tracing Back

the Ancestors of Sumbanese in India

A history book of "Masyarakat Sumba dan Adat Istiadat” (people of sumba and the custom) (1976) written by Umbu Hina Kapita, mentioned that in the past time some Indians lived in Sumba and settled down with Sumbanese. Even it can be said that most of Sumbanese are originated from India. The history also noted that the palm trees (B. Flabellifer) now widely growing in Sumba were originated from India. The book convinced me that Sumba has connection with India. Through Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta, I got an opportunity to join South to South Exchange Program to India lasting from December 19 until 28, 2017. The program gave me, as a Sumbanese, a chance to trace back the ancestors of Sumbanese as mentioned in the history book.

All activities started from Bangalore then moved to other small towns, to places of civilization heritage and to villages completed with a couple of dialogues with local communities. I found many interesting experiences and unique things that I saw and observed on Indian people’s habits and lifestyles starting from their physical characteristics, dressing style and how they dialogue with others. Physically, on the average they have sharp nose, dark-skinned and wavy hair as identical as Sumbanese’s physical features. The way how they talk is similar with Sumbanese with their stern voice and sometimes impress fierce. The Indian men’s traditional dressing style is similar with Sumbanese men’s, as they wear shirt for the upper part and sarong or cloth wrapped around the waist as bottom part and scarf tied up around the head. While Indian women’s have little difference, they wear saree, but in Sumba, the women wear sarong. In agriculture, Indians who live in coastal area have palm trees as in Sumba. They utilized them as the same in Sumba such as for crafts, palm sugar, alcoholic palm drink  called ‘tuak’ and lontar leaves used as writing sheet. Even the ancient pattern wall ornaments have similarities with animal symbols, such as horse, bird, crocodile and shrimp.

How did they arrive in Sumba island and what for? A book, entitled "The Atlas of Historical ports in Indonesia" published by Directorate of History and Cultural Values, Directorate General of Culture, Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic Indonesia, 2013, wrote that Indonesia as a maritime state has historical journey closely related to marine voyage and trading activities since AD century. The historical sources noted that the trading commodities such as camphor, cinnamon, pepper, cloves were chosen as preferences by foreign traders for a long time. It caused many ports become busier with the visit of foreign traders from China, India, Arab, as well as European traders such as Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and Britain. Almost all areas in Indonesia were visited by foreign traders. Some traders from India and China reached Nusa Tenggara teritory since the establishment of Majapahit kingdom. The needs for quality horses of Majapahit were supplied from Sumbawa island since 15th century. The voyages from South China Sea passed through Malacca strait to Java or Kalimantan and then moved to the east through Java Sea to Bali, Lombok, Kupang and Timor including Sumba to seek sandalwood and exchanged stuffs from abroad, such as cloth from Gujarat, metal goods and beads.

History recorded the journey of Indians to Indonesia and convinced me that there is a connection between culture of India and Sumba. I am motivated to maintain a network with Indian friends. (Elis)