Sumba Island, located in the southern part of EastNusa Tenggara, about 100 kilometers south of Flores Island, is 250 kilometers long with a total area of 10,845 square kilometers.

It is formed from volcanic crust fragments and limestone. The geological formation of Sumba is different from other islands in Nusa Tenggara, which originally derived from volcanic rock. The dry season in Sumba occurs between May and November.

The annual rainfall is estimated between 500 millimeters and 2,000 millimeters. Sumba has four types of forest (Banilodu and Saka, 1993). The deciduous forest is found along the rivers and lowland areas, while the semi-evergreen forests grow in the hilly areas, where the humidity is lower. The true evergreen forest is in area with higher humidity, about 700meters above sea level. Another type, the elfin forest, is found on Mount Wanggameti at 1,050 meters to 1200 meters above sea level.

Now, only 11 percent of Sumba Island is covered with forest, mostly in the south. The forest is home to a great variety of fauna, much of which isendemic to Sumba………….

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There was intense activity in the house of Hendrik Pali, 60, in Lambanapu, seven kilometers east of Waingapu, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), with large tents being put up in the front yard in July.

While some people thought the father of six was getting ready for a party, Hendrik turned out to be preparing for a rare cultural event — the making of a 50-meter-long piece of handwoven cloth for making garments called hinggi East Sumba Regent Umbu Mehang Kunda kicked off the event on Aug. 23. The same day also saw the start of a similar event in Paung subdistrict, Melo, which is 60 km south of Waingapu.The Lambanapu weavers are aiming to complete the length of cloth by the third week of December.

“”This is a first for our community and it’s a major event for East Sumba people and for the nation in general, which demands hard work and great responsibility,”" Hendrik said at his home.

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