Glowing Pearls on East Manggarai

East Manggarai Regency has a lot of culture and tourism assets. This made future prospects promises. East Manggarai parables pearl newly reclaimed from hoard of mud. 

Not yet ready to sale because still need to cleaned and promoted. Therefore, cleanse it need scrupulous in order to luster 

not fade before sold.

Not many people knew about East Manggarai in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Not just only the potential of culture and tourism, even the name is unknown. According to Vice Regent East Manggarai Regency, Agas Andreas, SH., Mhum. The branding is less famous than the genuine Regency that is Manggarai Regency. Furthermore he said, “People are more recognize Manggarai Regency than East Manggarai Regency”.

Ferry Samosir, Field Officer Manager – West Flores (Swiss contact) that faced by JN Guide in Labuan Bajo, at West Manggarai Regency also told us the same thing, last July.

Ferry said, among Ngada, East Manggarai and West Manggarai, the East Manggarai has not been developed yet. The condition has not been developed than the three other that under his supervision.

It is different if there is a question about the potential of it. But Ferry assumes East Manggarai has been more developed than Mbay and Nagikeo.

Ir.Boni Hasudungan Siregar

Chief of Development Planning Board of Manggarai Regency, Ir. Boni Hasudungan admited if his territory is still not salient compared with other District on Flores Island. Further, he reasoned that the District legitimized under the Regulations No. 36 year 2007, on August, 2007. So it’s 5 years by August.

But who can thought if the Regency which has capital in Borong has a lot of potential culture and tourism scattered throughout the region. Amazingly, the potential owned very diverse. There are Nautical and natural based tours (mountains, waterfalls, rice fields, wide savannas) spiritual tours, historical sites, Tours Lake, and so many more, as a full package, said Boni.

Galus Ganggus, S.Pd.,  Daily Executor and Secretary Ministry of the Cultural and Tourism from, said that from data accumulated by local Agencies, at least there are 104 tourist seeded have identified. “Could be more, since all potential have not accumulated yet”, as said Galus to JN Guide, early last July.

However, the potential will not cause a lot of benefits to the people if infrastructure and quality of Human Resources is still lower. 

Drs.Joseph Tote M.Si

Recoqnizing the matter, Drs. Joseph Tote MSi., Regent East Manggarai, since the beginning of his rule has set the region as tourist destinations of the world, beside as rice granary East Nusa Tenggara Province. For that it does through education and infrastructure development approaches.

According to County Government East Manggarai under the leadership he is working hard carry out mission tourism. Galus added, have billion Rupiah of spent to build the basic infrastructure in North Coast and South. Isolation remote areas have opened by built a lot of road to attraction now.

The efforts have done is reasonable, remembering the potential owned District, particulary in culture and tourism sectors so diversified and promises.

Supporting sectors as agriculture and plantation also built sequentially. In addition to prepare as East Nusa Tenggara rice granary also closely related to the development of eco Tourism that very compromising.

Galus added, between agriculture and tourism has a very closely relations. For culture development and tourism may advance if the needs of food have been fulfilled.

It cannot sideline namely the improvement of the quality of Human Resources (SDM) on his region. It is marked by the local given curricula (mulok) in elementary school until junior secondary school at the stage early.

Soon, mulok also be taught at the level of senior secondary school, he said. It’s all intended to public of East Manggarai Regency later not only be audience when the cultural and tourism sectors is in such advance.

Teaching curriculum mulok in elemetary scholl until junior secondary school an idea Joseph Tote, Regent East Manggarai previously been overrunning of office as the Ministry of Cultural and Tourism Manggarai Regency (before expansion).

In an interview with JN Guide, Regent said, granting mulok intended as the basic of contruction of character his society.

“We ranging from formal education, so later expected to those who have had elementary education, and continued may as well as partake enforce, preserve the values of the ancestors who have implanted umpteen hundred years and is now have felt fade”, he said.

Not only that, Regent also have an idea areas of the government office in one place designed resembling the customs. Buildings the located in Legong, not far from Borong, The capital East Manggarai Regency, it will also equipped housing construction custom (adat) government employee thus mechanism community service may easier and quickly.

In order to preserve the customs (adat) community, the Regent will also developing the territory of culture tour in 12 kedaluan kind of the village. “We’d like to look back symbols kedaluan on the ago”, he said.

He thinks development it is an attempt laying of association character East Manggarai. Cause on the kedaluan it, functionary of the government hereditary, to get the stability of the security at that time.

Now the condition had changed. Quite the current alteration of the values of the civilization and ethics and preserved in builds character people in East Manggarai.

Agas Andreas SH.M.Hum

The idea Regent Manggarai it’s completely supported his Vice. He thinks in building sector culture and tourism, top priority in aspects of the construction of its human quality resources. According to Agas Andreas, however nice and diverse attractions, if human not ready to manage it is not it potential be worth.

Graduated Program Universitas Airlangga Surabaya graduates it pointed out that success the Provincial Government Bali in develop potential culture and more human accentuate of the construction of human, so many tourists interested to travel to Bali.

Lecturer Graduated Program Study of Law at the Universitas Nusa Cendana, Kupang, it presupposes personnel and attractions as sugar. It’s tourists as ants.

The problem now is, if the potential culture and tourism in East Manggarai identical with Bali?

Ferry of Swisscontact remind, tour in Flores including East Manggarai it tour adventure not like fun at Bali. So kinds of tourist also difference.

“If in the Bali kind of tourist want to fun as Australia. Anyway tourist the come in Flores it tourist likes climbing mountains (trekking), playing at paddy fields”, he said.

Therefore, he thinks to find in Flores is its authenticity. “We do not need to be arena rock climbing mountains revamp. We maintain authenticity and natural beauty and so on”, he said.

The inputs as this is beneficial to Regency Government East Manggarai prepares make a certainly grand design in the culture and tourism. Boni admit East Manggarai have not had it. So it is still do process identification while infrastructure building the beginning.

East Manggarai parables pearl newly reclaimed from hoard of mud. Not yet ready to sale because still need to cleaned and promoted. Therefore, cleanse it need scrupulous in order to luster not fade before sold.

Likewise East Manggarai newly developed but has potential incredible. It is time the whole stakeholders eye-opening to the joint expanding it.

The consequence, portion construction budget in sectors of the need improved. The Council has agreed to increase portion of the budget at the sector. The Chairman of the Legislative Council county East Manggarai, Johanes Nahas ST recognized when encountered in Borong early last July.

Senior Politicians Party Golkar acknowledges the extent of the potential of the cultural and tourism owned County. He thinks enhance and facilitated of the budget. The Council, he thinks very enthusiastically supported department concerned develop assets it owned. In favor of the Council also determined regulation in the field permitting in order to facilitate the investment in at the sector.

They realize the budget at the tourism indeed still very small. He also confessed to still lack experience in the management of cultural assets and tourism that gives benefits to the public welfare. Therefore, they also plans conduct study appeals in some county which has been more advanced.**Sapto Adiwiloso

HORSE TREKKING:

Bravery Factor Through Poco Komba

Fransisco Huik de Rosari  and tim  in action                                                                           Dok: Florestourism.com

It’s a very bright morning around Mbalata Coast, Watunggene Village, and District of Kota Komba. At least ten horses had prepared for the challenging adventure.

Eight o’clock sharp and it’s started. One by one horse riders guided by some jockey began to leave the starting place at Mbalata Beach Inn Cottage belong to Fransisco Huik de Rosari or who is familiar addressed as Ferry. The horse footsteps accompany the way to Watu Susu Rongga location at Poco (Hill) Komba, District of Kota Komba.

Has not been long, the trekking group stop over on the Gaspar Jala’s, The Tribal Chief of Nggeli and Antonius Tandas, The Tribal Chief of Motu which a descent of Rongga ethnic.

Background : Poco (Hill)  Komba    Dok.Florestourism.com

Head of District Kota Komba told the intent of the arrival of the group is to visit tomb forebears both the tribe, and see near the existence of Watu Susu Rongga as well as historic stele in Poco Komba.

After welcome ceremony, entourages take an entrance to do Pake Manuk ritual ceremony (chicken as a respectful notice). That is meant to beg forebears spirit blessing in order to all entourages spared from the undesirable disaster and may go back home safely. Understandably the terrain is quite far and hard. The ritual ceremony was also to know whether the forebears it grant the mean and purpose.

After reading some incantation, Gaspar Jala who deputized lead ritual ceremony began to revoke some feather of black hen, then slaughtered and researched its offal mainly bowel and gall.

“If bowel contained in the chicken stomach long enough and the gall looks clean, it is mean the guests are accepted and to be permitted to visit forebear’s tomb and visit to Watu Susu Rongga,” said Gaspar.

According to the Gaspar, it is not all application for granted by the forebears. There are also guest was not be blessing ancestral Rongga ethnic when about visiting Watu Susu Rongga. Then lucky is entourages have got it blessing.

“It’s prayer not augury. This ritual is committed to them were any activities into customary hometown,” said Head of District Kota Komba. Finish carry out the rites, each members of the entourages asked to drink a little Sopi or Moke (arrack that taken from a palmyra tree). It’s getting felt warm.

Start to Poco (Hill) Comba                                                 Dok: Jakpost.Travel

From the chieftain’s house the entourages starting to Poco Komba. Horse accompaniment started down the rocky Mbalata seaside. All the body feels shaken. The horses rode entourages are very fleet of foot. Never had slipped although the rocks at the seaside is quite slick. Even some had large-sized.

After cobbled streets entourages started down into population yard, before arrived in the unsalted watery of small morass. In there the horse tethered. The horses are looks very thirsty after rode for long enough. The entourages take the rest time while seeing wild buffalo, not far from the morass.

Shortly afterwards entourages passed the extensive savanna at foot of Poco Komba. Some buffalo, horses, the cattle stray are running around when entourages up in the savanna.

It’s a very beautiful location. The background of Savu Sea and foreside is on the greenly Poco Komba. Some members of entourages are kindly to take pictures and give opportunity to the horse ride to take grass.

After satisfied enjoyed the beauty of the savanna entourages stride continue into the forebears tomb that scattered starting from the feet to top of the Poco Komba. And magical atmosphere began to feel.

The first grave encountered has not too far of the savanna. According to Antonius Tandas, that first tomb is tomb of a big wings’ Rongga ethnic constitutes named Bela Paka Ratu that his back struck by lightning but he did not die. The stone is a mark at once as hint direction towards the Komba Hill.

Horses guided both the chieftains are began to down the valley and up to foo-hills. For several, entourages are up in a Rongga ethnic forebear’s funeral in Sambi Lewa village (the tall kesambi tree)

Before up to forebear’s funeral complex, horses are tethered. Journey towards the location of the ancestral tomb proceed with a walk. After up to Sambi Lewa village Pauk Manuk ritual ceremony held for the second time.

                                                                                                                                                                     Dok: Florestourism.com

Gaspar Jala is in charge again presiding over the course of such ceremonies. The ritual ceremony offering chicken was lasts respect. Understandably that magical atmosphere is noticeably. Procession ceremony is also made such rituals conducted in the customs home, when departed.

The ritual was also to know whether Rongga ethnic forebears still approve intentions entourages’ guest to travel to Watu Susu Rongga, so far. Gaspar exhibiting a positive result, whereby the chicken bowel withheld it was still a long unravel, gall’s color was also still kept clean. “That’s a sign that entourages permitted to approach the Watu Susu Rongga,” he said.

The offering of chicken was intended to feed the ancestors. The chicken dedicated was accompanied moke or sopi a kind of arrack taken from the stem of palmyra flower. Usually it’s accompanied with areca nut, betel leaf, soft lime, tobacco.

After carry out the ritual for the second time the entourages continuing ascent to the top of Komba. The entourages shall pass seven multilevel yards which once had been Rongga ethnic ancestral residence whose was a brother.

The first yard is the place of residence the youngest thereby onward to the eldest son is named Meka Leke. Meka Leke had brother named Meka Ngguru then followed Meka Woi. “The fourth and fifth were women. Then the sixth son was Meka Paka and the youngest child named Jawatu,” said Gaspar.

Prior to reached multilevel yard entourages found Rongga ethnic ancestral tomb marked by stone shaped knife or dagger as high as two meters with wide about 50 cm. “Those are who keep Watu Susu Rongga,” added Gaspar.

Reputedly on the first time knife they used was made of stone. In that war they use the stone knife to stab enemy. In this time the knife stone is plugged in their tomb.

At about 50-60 meters of the sea surface Watu Susu Rongga looks clear in front of the altitude. The height of stone that complied with bushes is about 15 meters. It’s side by side each other and resembling breast shape. That’s why named as Watu Susu Rongga.

While on height 75 metres above sea level or above Watu Susu Rongga there is a stone named Watu Weri Lewa. Reputedly on the outdated forebears that stone was used to cotton seasoned.

After a long Watu Susu Rongga observe, the entourages returned home with down a ridge of the other side. On the way home the entourages also had showed Wei Motu a springs that was first unearthed by a dog named Eko Lewa (long tail dog). The water was flowing through interposed hill.

Horses at the savana            Dok: Jakpost.travel

In addition entourages were also encountered Sunggi and Sika sepulchre whose was still family of Rongga ethnic. In the above also contained another grave in Kampung (Nua) Nunuwula.

According to Antonius Tandas the Motu tribal chieftain that accompanying, the ancestry tomb is historical evidence Motu existence, at once it is also a hint direction towards the savanna where horses are tethered.

It was the afternoon when entourages leaved Poco Komba. The jockey was very busy off reins from the friendly horses. Cheerfulness implies on each member of entourages. One by one horse ride dashed off as arrows loose from its bow. A few among the member of entourages and Head of District Kota Komba have proficient ride a horse clinking fast as horse racing. The two chieftains did not want to lose and spur horses in savanna. It’s a very stunning.

It is conceivable how beautiful the accompaniment entourages rode a horse when passing ledges of savanna with Savu Sea as the background in the edge of twilight, at that time. Its looks a fascinates silhouette.

Journey up at the end point in Mbalata Beach Inn Cottages, on the Mbalata Beach. The whole entourages got rest with some warm cup of coffee and moke that warms the body.

Head of District Kota Komba, Adrianus S. Ajid expected that every tourist who came to Ngada County may stop over on his in there are many superior attractions. Which one is Poco Komba with its Watu Susu Rongga. He optimis, if they may stop over, then they would like to stay several long. He reasoned that his territory is a very supporting ecotourism.

Several ago, he said, 22 doctors from Canada traveled to Poco Komba. They are very impressed by full challenges tourist adventure. “It’s heaven, we had never find this kind of in other place,” they said.** Sapto Adiwiloso