INDONESIA
​Sumba
I first travelled to Indonesia in the 2000's and visited four islands -- Bali, Sulawesi, Sumba, and Java.
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The dry, undulating island of Sumba has the richest tribal culture in Nusa Tenggara, centred on a religious tradition called marapu.*


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A traditional Sumba village usually consists of two parallel rows of houses facing each other, with a square between.*

It's one of the poorest but most fascinating islands to visit, with a decidedly off-the-beaten-track appeal courtesy of its thatched clan houses, colossal carved megalith tombs, outstanding hand-spun ikat and bloody sacrificial funerals.*

The basis of traditional Sumbanese religion is Marapu, a collective term for all the spiritual forces, including gods, spirits and ancestors.*

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Sumba's extensive grasslands made it one of Indonesia's leading horse-breeding islands.  Horses are still used as transport in more rugged regions; they are a symbol of wealth and status and have traditionally been used as part of the bride-price.*​

On the day of burial, horses or buffaloes are ceremonially killed and ornaments and a sirih (bettle nut) bag are buried with the body.*

* These captions are from Indonesia -- Lonely Planet's travel guide.