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The islands of East Nusa Tenggara
have been Shaped by the power and force of an enormous chain of
mountains and volcanoes which begins in the north of Sumatra and
stretches east across Java. The province consists of over 550
islands, but is dominated by the three main islands of Flores,
Sumba, and Timor. Occupying a unique position at the junction of
Australian and Asian submarine ridges marked by the Wallace Line,
it is one the world's most dynamic and exotic marine environments
with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented.
The arid landscape of eastern and southeastern Nusa Tenggara is
the result of hot, dry winds blasting in from the Australian continent.
In fact, in many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during most
of the year.
Flores is a Portuguese name which means "flower" and ideally
describes the beauty to be found here. This long island between
Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and mountains dividing
it into several distinct regions with individual languages and traditions.
Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portuguese,
there are many examples of a strong European cultural heritage like
Easter procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the
former king in Maumere.
Formerly known as the Sandalwood Island,
Sumba is now famous for its horses and an excellent style of ikat
cloth. Spirits, both ancestral and natural are worshiped. Although
some exist in East Sumba, it is in West Sumba that there are a number
of enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked
huts raised on stilts. It is here where incredible rituals take
place, such as "Pasola" where hundreds of horsemen fling
spears at each other in an annual ritual. Many traditional ceremonies,
all with a component paying homage to the spirits, take place from
July to October including the building of adat or traditional houses
and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses,
and dogs are sacrified. Other ceremonies include "Pajura"
or traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October
and November, horse races and ritual! dances.
Timor is the principal island in the
province in terms of population and it is here that the provincial
capital of Kupang is located. Timor is rich in culture, beautiful
scenery, and magnificent wildlife. Composed of mainly dry, rocky
land, sheltering isolated communities, a variety of architectural
styles has developed. Unlike other parts of East Nusa Tenggara,
the roads in Timor are generally good and public transportation
is relatively well developed. Kupang, in fact, is being developed
as the Gateway to Nusa Tenggara with regular, direct flights to
and from Darwin in Australia as well as with the rest of the archipelago.
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