LINTAS SUMBAWA-FLORES - Ekspedisi Indonesia Biru #20

Summary

The video script explores the traditional land reclamation of the Bajo people on Bungin Island, Sumbawa, and their transition from sea gypsies to settlers. It follows a film editing journey in Dompu, Bali, and captures traditional horse racing with jockeys in Sumbawa and Sumba. The script also highlights the UNESCO World Heritage site, Komodo National Park, attracting thousands of tourists annually with its rich marine biodiversity. Despite government efforts to promote tourism, the region still faces poverty and underdevelopment. The script concludes with a look at traditional farming practices in Manggarai and efforts in Sumba to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and develop alternative energy sources.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Bajo people, once known as sea nomads, have settled on Bungin Island in Sumbawa by using traditional reclamation methods.
• 🏇 Child jockey horse racing is still practiced in Sumbawa, Sumba, and Gayo Highlands in Aceh.
• 🎬 The team worked on a film about the reclamation of Benoa Bay in Bali and continued editing it while exploring Sumbawa.
• 🐉 Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai, Flores, is the gateway to Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015.
• 📈 The Indonesian government aims to increase tourist visits to Komodo National Park to 500,000 by 2019, investing heavily in infrastructure.
• 🐟 The region's underwater attractions, including 1,000 species of fish and 260 types of coral, make it one of the best snorkeling destinations, according to a 2015 CNN survey.
• 🏞️ Despite heavy investment, only 24% of households in West Manggarai have access to clean water, highlighting ongoing development challenges.
• 💧 East Manggarai’s Lingko Cara rice fields are known for their traditional spider-web-shaped plots, reflecting family size and social status.
• 🪨 Megalithic heritage is still visible in traditional villages like Ruteng Puu in East Manggarai, with stone tombs for ancestors.
• 🌾 A community in Sumba Island is working on reducing dependence on factory-made fertilizers and developing alternative energy sources.

Q & A

Who are the Bajo people mentioned in the transcript?

The Bajo people, historically known as sea nomads, have now settled and built permanent settlements using traditional reclamation methods, as described in the transcript.

What is the significance of Pulau Bungin in Sumbawa?

Pulau Bungin in Sumbawa is notable for its traditional land reclamation techniques used by the Bajo people to build their settlements.

What event involving children is highlighted in Sumbawa?

The transcript highlights horse races in Sumbawa that feature child jockeys, a traditional practice also found in other parts of Indonesia, such as Sumba and Aceh.

What is the role of the Komodo National Park in tourism?

Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a major tourist destination, drawing visitors with attractions like the Komodo dragon, beautiful islands, and world-renowned underwater experiences.

How has the government supported tourism in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park?

The government has invested heavily in promoting Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, with initiatives such as the 'Komodo Sale' in 2013, a budget of Rp 3.7 trillion, and a plan to expand infrastructure like airports and ports.

What is the expected economic impact of tourism development in Labuan Bajo?

The government aims to increase the number of visitors fivefold by 2019, with the hope that tourism will generate up to Rp 20 trillion in revenue, benefiting the local economy.

What are some challenges faced by the residents of Manggarai Barat despite tourism growth?

Despite the tourism boom, only 24% of homes in Manggarai Barat have access to clean water, and the region remains on the list of underdeveloped areas. Additionally, 17% of the population lives below the poverty line.

What is the Lingko system in Manggarai Timur?

The Lingko system in Manggarai Timur is a traditional method of land division based on family size and social status, symbolized by a spiderweb-like pattern in rice fields.

What does the transcript reveal about Flores' megalithic heritage?

In Ruteng Puu, Manggarai Timur, Flores, megalithic structures are still visible, particularly in the form of ancestral burial sites marked by stone arrangements in traditional villages.

How are some residents of Sumba reducing their dependence on synthetic fertilizers?

On the island of Sumba, some residents are moving away from using synthetic fertilizers and are developing alternative energy sources, as mentioned in the transcript.