Surely, each of us, after reading adventure novels in our childhood, secretly dreamed of living in a wigwam, yurt, or other similar dwelling without access to civilization, as our ancestors did.
An expedition with MyBaliTrips to one of the lost corners of our planet - the traditional village of Wae Rebo on Flores Island - is a great chance to make this dream a reality. Such journeys enrich our inner world with vivid impressions and positive emotions, offering an incomparable experience that will be remembered for a long time.
The Village
Wae Rebo is a traditional settlement in the Manggarai Regency of East Nusa Tenggara Province, recognized by TimeOut magazine in 2024 as the second most beautiful village in the world and included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. What is this place, what is its uniqueness, and how to get there?
This village is nestled on the island of Flores among the mountains at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level in an area where only about 1,200 people live. There are 7 round conical dwellings, called "mbaru niang" or "drum houses" in the Manggarai language. In the past, such dwellings were built throughout this region and could accommodate up to 200 people. The shape of the houses symbolizes the unity of the family and community. A few of the structures were miraculously preserved by the indigenous people during the colonial period when all similar houses were demolished. On the verge of disappearing, these houses have been restored by Indonesian architects and the government.
The village can only be reached on foot, as it's located in a hidden spot out of sight. Embarking on a real expedition, you'll walk along a narrow path through the rainforest. Such hikes give you goosebumps, making you feel as if you have traveled to the Jurassic period, expecting a Brontosaurus to peek out from the dense foliage. The incredible abundance of nature - giant ferns, orchids, and palms - will fill you with harmony.
The journey will take about 3-4 hours. In the village, you will not only see the traditional architecture of the Manggarai people but also participate in the local community's life.
Upon arrival at the village, you will be welcomed as honoured guests with a special ceremony and have the chance to spend the night in one of the houses on "tikar" mats made from bamboo leaves. The mountain air is so clear it seems as though you could touch the stars! The lack of civilization, artificial lighting sources, and the village's high-altitude location provide a magnificent view of the Milky Way, stars, and planets. Astronomers from around the world come here to observe the celestial bodies.
Rice Fields
While traveling in Indonesia, you will surely see many different types of rice fields - rectangular ones on plains and terraced ones in mountainous areas. In the Manggarai Regency, however, the fields have a web-like shape. One of the easily accessible places is the Lingko Lodok rice fields in Cancar, about 8 km west of Ruteng, the capital of Manggarai Raya Regency. This rice field is truly unique as it is formed based on local wisdom of the traditional Manggarai community, emphasizing unity, mutual cooperation, and fairness.
The ancestors of the indigenous Manggarai people used a land distribution system with a zero point at the center of the area to be divided. The field's pattern consists of lines from the central point (“lodok”) to the farthest area (“cicing”) resembling a spider's web.
The authority for dividing communal land belongs to the Tua Teno (elders). Therefore, a small ritual called "Tente Teno" or the planting of the Teno tree in the center of the area is held at the start of the allocation. The Teno tree is sprinkled with goat blood as a symbol of sacrifice. Residents from nearby villages explain that the traditional method of land distribution follows the Moso (finger hand) rule. The size of the Moso greatly depends on the number of community members.
Traditional Market
The market in Ruteng is a place where artisans from the indigenous Manggarai community sell their wares. Local crafts serve as a source of income for many communities, while preserving traditional practices and cultural heritage. They are handmade by craftspeople using skills passed down from generation to generation.
These handmade items typically reflect the culture, traditions, and identity of a specific community or region. Examples of local crafts include weaving, wood carving, batik, woven "tenun" products (scarves, blankets), pottery, metalwork, and jewelry.
Each product possesses unique aesthetic and cultural value, often using natural ingredients available in the local environment, such as fabric dyes.
Handwoven items are sold here, including traditional songket fabric, men's headbands, and scarves with colors and patterns from this region.
Prices range from 60 thousand to 1.5 million Indonesian rupiah depending on the quality and type of product.
Woven items, such as mats, hats, and baskets, attract visitors with their beauty and functionality, priced from 50 to 700 thousand Indonesian rupiah.
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