During my journey to East Nusa Tenggara, I was fortunate to have visited the Takpala Village on Alor Island, which is one of the least visited places around this region.
Having little or no knowledge of the Alornese people in this part of Indonesia, this visit here became even more intriguing for me.
Takpala Village sits in the hills of Alor, which is around 13 kilometres from the Kalabahi district, the main area of Alor Island.
The people of Takpala are also known as the Abui tribe who is also the largest of the ethnic groups on the island.
The people of Takpala are also known as the Abui tribe who is also the largest of the ethnic groups on the island.
The Abui people are also known as the mountain people. In total, there are three main traditional villages, but Takpala is one of the easiest and best to visit in Alor Island.
Visiting Takpala Village
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| The Abui tribe at the foot of the village, welcoming visitors |
As Alor is home to over 40 different ethnic groups and speaking to the village headman, he said that there are over 60 languages and sublanguages in Alor Island itself.
That is incredible, considering how small the island is, and so many languages are spoken among the people here.
That is incredible, considering how small the island is, and so many languages are spoken among the people here.
However, on communication among themselves, they all speak one common language, which is Bahasa Indonesia.
As our group was fairly large, they Abui people of Takpala had prepared a welcoming ritual at the foot of the village.
As our group was fairly large, they Abui people of Takpala had prepared a welcoming ritual at the foot of the village.
Men and women, boys and girls were dressed in traditional Abui attire and welcomed the group with some traditional words. Behind the headman, two other men had drums and started to beat them as they walked uphill.
The women danced as they led our entourage up to the entrance of the village. Once here, we could see over 30 to 40 other men and women who were waiting for us.
In the background, thatched-roof homes called Rumah Gedung are used majestically as a backdrop.
In the background, thatched-roof homes called Rumah Gedung are used majestically as a backdrop.
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| Abui warriors perform a traditional ritual as part of the welcome ceremony |
Gedung means storage, and they call them storehouses because this is where they store their food supplies such as rice, corn, and others.
In the middle of the village area, you see a large round structure, looking like a place of ritual. This place is called the Mesbah, which is made from large stones.
The Mesbah is the general communal area where meetings, dances, and other important events are held by the Abui people.
The Mesbah is the general communal area where meetings, dances, and other important events are held by the Abui people.
Once we were seated on bamboo chairs made for visitors, the headman called Pak Abner, started his ritual speech, welcoming us all to Takpala Village.
Soon after, they started to perform the traditional dance, called the Lego Lego dance, which is one of the many different dances they perform.
Soon after, they started to perform the traditional dance, called the Lego Lego dance, which is one of the many different dances they perform.
This harvest dance is performed by the Abui women and men, by creating a circle around the Mesbah. Music is played by other men, while the women start moving around the Mesbah, hand in hand around each other.
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| The Lego-Lego dance performed by the Abui tribe of Alor |
A rhythmic moment is observed by everyone, even the young girls who don the traditional attire. As the dance gets more intense, the Abui people move faster and faster in a circle.
The women and girls have brass rings around their legs, therefore making it chime as they stomp their feet during the dance.
The women and girls have brass rings around their legs, therefore making it chime as they stomp their feet during the dance.
Following the dance, the visitors are then invited to participate along with the locals in a merry and joyful atmosphere, but performing the same dance in a circle.
After song and dance, photo sessions are a must. This is where you get your portrait photos of the Abui people in traditional attire.
You are allowed to take their photos or even pose with them as they are extremely friendly. But make sure when you do this, you are with a guide.
You are allowed to take their photos or even pose with them as they are extremely friendly. But make sure when you do this, you are with a guide.
One thing you should note is that the Alornese people love to chew betel nut, hence their blood-red mouths.
This is a common thing that is practised around Alor Island and East Nusa Tenggara especially among men and women.
This is a common thing that is practised around Alor Island and East Nusa Tenggara especially among men and women.
If you have questions about the people of the village, feel free to ask your translator to ask Pak Abner or any of the village elders. They would be glad to answer your questions.
The Abui people are also Christians, so you will be seeing lots of crosses planted around the area of the village.
Usually indicated as markings, but I did not manage to ask why they were placed along the road up and even in front of the village.
Usually indicated as markings, but I did not manage to ask why they were placed along the road up and even in front of the village.
Takpala Village Photos
Below are some random photos were taken at the Takpala Village on Alor Island. I spent about two hours here, watching, talking and learning what I could about this unique tribe from Alor.
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| Abui children, some of them in traditional wear |
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| The headman and village elders at Takpala village |
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| One of the Abui elder ladies plays a traditional drum solo |
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| Brass rings are used for Abui women when they dance, the rings give out chimes |
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| Abui women performing the Lego-Lego dance in Takpala Village |
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| Pak Abner, the village headman strikes a warrior pose with his bow and arrow |
Takpala Village Souvenirs To Buy
At the end of the performance and photo-taking, you can visit the right section of the village where you will see the local Abui women selling various local handicrafts made by them. There must have been around 10 makeshift stalls to browse through.
Items include the local dried banana seeds which are made into bracelets and necklaces, combined with wooden pendants.
Another type of wooden seeds made from the Kenari tree is also unique. They look like wooden prayer beads.
Another type of wooden seeds made from the Kenari tree is also unique. They look like wooden prayer beads.
Wild boar teeth infused into jewellery are also sold at slightly higher prices. However, this is one of the local income for the Abui people, hence I bought about five necklaces and three bracelets as souvenirs. At places like these, it is often good to contribute back to the community.
Some stalls even sell handcrafted parangs (swords) and wooden shields. For those travelling internationally, I would advise against carrying them.
But then again, if you are a serious sword collector, this would be awesome for your display.
But then again, if you are a serious sword collector, this would be awesome for your display.
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| The sign just outside Takpala Village in Alor |
How to go to Takpala Village?
For anyone planning to visit the Takpala village, you need to start from Kalabahi, and it takes around 30 minutes by car or van to get here.
You also need to engage a guide or charter a taxi and possibly get one that speaks English, to translate. Once here, no one speaks any form of English, but Bahasa Indonesia or their local ethnic language.
If you are also planning to explore the rest of the island, I have written an article about the things to do in the Alor Islands for your convenience. Please note you probably need a tour guide for this.
You also need to engage a guide or charter a taxi and possibly get one that speaks English, to translate. Once here, no one speaks any form of English, but Bahasa Indonesia or their local ethnic language.
If you are also planning to explore the rest of the island, I have written an article about the things to do in the Alor Islands for your convenience. Please note you probably need a tour guide for this.
You can easily spend around an hour or two here, talking to the locals or exploring their traditional homes.
On the right section of the village, the local Abui people have makeshift stalls that sell homegrown souvenirs. Some of them are pretty cool, especially the banana seed necklaces and bracelets.
Conclusion
On the right section of the village, the local Abui people have makeshift stalls that sell homegrown souvenirs. Some of them are pretty cool, especially the banana seed necklaces and bracelets.
Conclusion
I have to be very honest here as this is not one of the regular tourist destinations in Indonesia, but if you ever do visit this part of East Nusa Tenggara, this is one of the places to visit.
My trip here was part of the 2017 Trip of Wonders by Indonesia Tourism where we explored far East of Nusa Tenggara and Raja Ampat.
It was purely an adventure and scuba diving trip that introduced us to these incredible and amazing places in the far east of Indonesia.
It was purely an adventure and scuba diving trip that introduced us to these incredible and amazing places in the far east of Indonesia.