Do you know the facts about the Abui tribe of NTT? The Abui tribe in Alor NTT live in a traditional way. They don't even use electricity in their daily life.
The Abui tribe is a tribe that lives in the hills of North Alor, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This traditional village is only inhabited by about 14 families. Its name is Takpala Village.
The location of this village is in North Central Alor District, Alor Regency, NTT.
The unique thing about this traditional village is that its life is far from modern. In fact, they live without electricity. All of this because they hold the principle passed down from their ancestors. In the following, we will discuss the unique and interesting facts of the Abui Tribe.
Facts about the Abui Tribe in Alor NTT
1. Life Without Electricity
The Abui people live without electricity. From the past until now they use dried bamboo filled with castor fruit for lighting. This tool is used as a means of lighting before the presence of kerosene. Now, they use kerosene.
Meanwhile, there are residents in this traditional village who have cell phones. To charge their cell phones, they had to go to the lower village.
2. Have a Sacred House
There are as many as 14 traditional traditional houses in this village of the Abui Tribe. The name of the traditional house is Rumah Lopo.
Lopo house has four parts or rooms. Namely, the room to receive guests, the warehouse for storing corn and sweet potatoes, a place to cook and sleep, and a sacred house.
This sacred house is in the middle of the village. The house cannot be opened by any place. The person who is allowed to open a sacred house is the Abui Marang sub-tribe. It was only once a year when land clearing.
There are two sacred houses in this village. This house is not inhabited, only opened once a year during land clearing.
One traditional house is called Kolwat (black) and the other is called Kanuruwat (white). Kolwat or black house is a house associated with dark or evil things. Meanwhile, Kanuruwat's house is the opposite. This house is considered sacred.
In general, the Abui sub-tribe is divided into three, namely Marang, Kapitan and Awenni. Only the Marang tribe are allowed to enter this sacred house. In addition, other sub-tribes may enter but there are conditions. Only the eldest child of the sub-tribe is allowed.
What is the content of the sacred house?
There are ancestral relics located in the sacred house of the Abui tribe. Such as ancestral pots, moko (iron musical instruments) and war spears.
3. Maintaining Traditional Life
The Abui people who inhabit Takpala Village maintain their traditional life. For example, their house uses tiles made of reeds.
Even when the roof of the house is damaged, they will look for new reeds. Not replacing the roof with zinc or other materials. The point is to keep using traditional materials like our ancestors.
4. Gardening Livelihood
The Abui people make a living by gardening. They grow corn and sweet potatoes.
Although most Alor residents make a living by working as fishermen, this is not the case with the Abui people.
Meanwhile, for residents who do not garden, they will make crafts. These crafts will later be sold as souvenirs for tourists who vacation here.
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5. Formerly Nicknamed “Human Head Hunter”
In ancient times, the Abui tribe was known to be adept at war. Hence the nickname of the human head hunter.
When dancing in order to welcome guests, you will see the costumes wearing battle gear. There are machetes and arrows on the boys.
The nickname of the human head hunter was given in ancient times. Now, the Abui are very open and allow anyone to come visit.
No entrance fee is charged. The visitors just fill out the guest book and give money voluntarily.
That is the unique fact of the Abui Tribe in Alor, NTT. The village atmosphere which is still very natural makes many tourists come to enjoy it. Hopefully it's useful.
