Prai Ijing Traditional Village

A complex of Sumbanese cultural houses

In the midst of global modernization, most of Sumbanese are still holding on their ancient cultural heritage. The footage of this ancient cultural heritage can be seen clearly on their hundreds aged traditional villages, Prai Ijing Traditional Village is one many that is well-kept and hereditarily continued from one generation to another. Located in Tebara, Waikabubak, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Prai Ijing Traditional Village is strategically situated 3 kilometers away from central town of West Sumba Regency, Waikabubak. There are 37 traditional houses survived from the fire dated back in year 2000, which there were 42 traditional houses originally listed before the fire. Since the traditional village is located on the highly elevated area of Waikabubak, its visitors can enjoy the scenery of rice paddy fields from above. 

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There are two common names of Sumbanese traditional house, they are Uma Bokulu and Uma Mbatangu. Uma Bokulu means big house, while Uma Mbatangu means highly elevated house. They represent the identity of traditional houses in Sumba which were built in stage or platform and the roof are highly elevated. The elders of this heritage village say that the traditional house is mainly divided in three sections; Lei Bangun means the lowest part of the house (below the stage or platform of the house) where they raise their cattles or livestock, Rongu Uma means the mid part of the house where the owner of the house live and rest, and Uma Daluku means the upper part of the house where they keep their food items and valuable belongings. Uma Daluku or the upper part of the house is also believed to be a special part of the house where their ancestors spirits live amongst them (Marapu). Majority of Sumbanese belief are Marapu (means the respected elders) in which they believe in and worship the spirits of their elders and ancestors.

There are four major wooden poles in the inner part of the traditional house, which become the main support of the house itself. The room between these four major poles in the traditional house are majorly dedicated for cooking area, where it also consists of a fireplace in which they usually preserve their food items. On each of these four major poles in the traditional house, they carve some symbolic carving that differentiate between male and female entrances. The female entrance is closely located to the kitchen in which Inna (means mother in Sumbanese) does majority of her activities. On the other side, the male entrance is closely located to the living area where all the male family members gathering and discussing. Female members of the family mostly enter and exit the house from the female entrance and so do the male members of the family mostly enter and exit the house from the male entrance.

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