Waingapu, Sumba Is, Indonesia

Waingapu is the largest town on the island of Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is the capital town of the Regency of Sumba Timur. The landscape on Sumba is low, limestone hills, rather than the steep volcanoes of many Indonesian islands. There is a dry season from May to November and a rainy season from December to April. The western side of the island is more fertile and more heavily populated than the east.

Sumba is one of the few places in the world in which megalithic burials, are used as a 'living tradition' to inter prominent individuals when they die. Burial in megaliths is a practice that was used in many parts of the world during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, but has survived to this day in Sumba.

Sumba is also well known for its war rituals. A well known ritual is 'pasola' were hundreds of men on horses throw spears at each other. The tip of the spears are cut off. The season to experience this festival is in February to March, it will take place in four different districts to satisfy the gods and bring a good harvest.


Things to See & Do

* Stone Megaliths
* War rituals - 'Pasola'

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Rupiah (IDR)
Language – Indonesian
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Population – 10,700 approx
Land Area - 11,153 km2 (Sumba Island)
Time - GMT plus seven hours
International Country Telephone Code – +62

Port Location – The main port of Sumba island is located at Waingapu.

Travel Links – Sumba Timur's Waingapu Airport 'Mau Hau' is located in Waingapu. Merpati Nusantara Airlines operates direct flights to Waingapu from Denpasar, Bali and Kupang, West Timor. The schedules change frequently - check. In total there are about 6 flights each week. Batavia Air also services Waingapu 3 times a week from Kupang and Denpasar.

The Pelni passenger ship Awu calls in at Waingapu twice on its 14 day round trip of Nusa Tenggara. This allows access from Kupang and several other cities in the region. The Awu is by far the safest and best way to reach Sumba by sea. The town is also served by ferries from nearby islands.