Ratenggaro

The Sumba Heritage Surrounded by Nature Beauty

Ratenggaro Traditional Village, so called by local as Desa Adat Ratenggaro, is situated at the coastal line of Umbu Ngedo, Kodi Bangedo, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. This traditional village guarantees its visitors the ancient atmosphere that rarely found anywhere else in the world. Besides the ancient stone graves that can be easily spotted in and around its vicinity, beautiful white sand beach of Ratenggaro can also be easily accessed from the village. To reach this traditional village, travelers need to drive about an hour from Tambolaka, central town of Southwest Sumba Regency. There is no specific operational hours to visit this ancient village, but it is recommended to avoid the evening or night time to visit, since it is still inhabited by the local Sumbanese.

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In Sumbanese, “Ratenggaro” consists of the words “rate” means “grave” and “nggaro” means “the tribe or people of garo”. The name of Ratenggaro derives from the event of Sumbanese ancient tribal war that result in mass murder and all the war victims were buried in this ancient village. One of the distinctive characteristics of Ratenggaro Village is clearly seen on the various height of the house roofing, it scales from 10 to 15 meters height, as it is determined by their owners social status level in the village tribe.

These ancient stage houses are divided into four different sections and functions; the lowest part of the house (below the stage of the house) is the place where the owners of the house raise and keep their cattle and livestock, the mid part of the house is dedicated for the owners living space, the upper level of the house close to the roof area is where the owners of the house stores their food items, and the highest part of the house in the roof area is where the owners of the house keep their valuable and the hereditary belongings (heirloom, relic, bequest). They put ox horns or skeletons on display on the higher place in their house to symbolize the glory and to show that they pass on the traditional ritual held by their ancestors. 

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Ratenggaro Beach or Pantai Ratenggaro lays beautifully next to the Ratenggaro Traditional Village, so travelers can absorb and enjoy the beauty of its white sand beach and experience horse riding whether around the neighborhood or on the beach. On the beach area, visitors may spot a 3 meters high grave, it is the grave of the ancient village founder’s son. All of those elements; the ancient village, the ancient graves, the pristine white sand beach, blends perfectly into natural wonders like nowhere else.