terailmu.com Wae Rebo Traditional Village? Located in Manggarai Regency on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, this tourist village received the Top Award of Excellence from UNESCO in the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards 2012, which was announced in Bangkok on August 27, 2012. Are you curious about what’s unique about Wae Rebo Traditional Village?
Wae Rebo is a small indigenous village located far from the city. The village is located about 1,100 meters above sea level and to visit it, it takes about 3-4 hours by foot from Denge Village. The village is surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Todo Forest is shady and rich in vegetation. In this forest, you can find orchids, various types of ferns, and hear the melodious chirping of various birds that make the atmosphere more cheerful. Keep in mind, there is no cellular coverage in this village, and electricity is only available from 6 to 10 pm. The air is also relatively cold, especially in the dry season. So, if you want to visit Wae Rebo Traditional Village, don’t forget to bring a jacket!
nightsThe founder of Wae Rebo Village is a man named Empu Maro. He built the village about 100 years ago and then preserved by the local residents until now reaching the 18th generation descendants. One of the unique things that characterizes Wae Rebo is the tall, conical Mbaru Niang traditional house covered in palm grass from the roof to the ground.
The Mbaru Niang house has five levels, with each level designed for a specific purpose. The first level, called the lutur or tent, is where the extended family lives. The second level, called the lobo or attic, is specialized for storing food and goods. The third level, called the lentar, is where seeds are stored for the next planting season. The fourth level called lempa rae is for storing food supplies in case of drought. Finally the fifth and top level called hekang kode, also considered the most sacred, is where offerings are made to the ancestors.
Well, there is one house that is devoted to ritual purposes for the people in Wae Rebo Traditional Village. The local population in this village is predominantly Catholic but still adheres to old beliefs. In this house are kept sacred heirlooms in the form of drums and gongs.
With a small population of around 1,200, the village consists of 7 houses. The villagers’ staple foods are cassava and corn. However, around the village they also grow coffee, vanilla and cinnamon which they sell at the market located about 15 km from the village. Recently, Wae Rebo Traditional Village has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination for domestic and foreign ecotourism enthusiasts. This has also added to the village’s economic prosperity.
If you want to visit Wae Rebo Traditional Village, you can set your starting point from Komodo Airport located in Labuan Bajo. Next, leave for Ruteng City. There are several transportation options such as taking a travel car or renting a private car. After 3-4 hours of travel, the journey continues by motorcycle taxi for 3-4 hours to Denge; the last village before finally heading to Wae Rebo Traditional Village.
If you are curious to come directly and experience a simple traditional life away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the people in Wae Rebo Traditional Village will certainly warmly welcome you! However, remember to always comply with applicable health protocols such as washing hands frequently, keeping a distance from others, and wearing masks in public places. Don’t forget to complete your vaccine with a booster for a comfortable and healthy traveling experience. Don’t forget to follow our social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.
Wae Rebo Traditional Village is also close to the tourist destination of Labuan Bajo. If you want to know more about Labuan Bajo.
