Indonesia is a home of 1,331 ethnic groups. They have different histories, cultures, traditions, habits, languages, and dialects. This kind of diversity also can be found in East Nusa Tenggara. This province has more than 500 islands that are home to multiple tribes, including the Manggarai People.
For those of you who are curious about who they are, the Manggarai People are not just guardians of Flores Island’s rich traditions, but also influential figures in modern society. Their history, cultures, and traditions have shaped the world we live in today. Let’s explore their impact!
Who Are the Manggarai People?
The Manggarai Tribe is an ethnic group from the western part of Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara. They are spread across three regencies: Manggarai, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai. According to the latest data, their population is 792,000 people.
Even though their community is big, they are divided into small clans. Each clan is led by a chief called tu’a wa’u, whose position is derived by a patrilineal line. Usually, there are two or more clans that live in a village. So, there is also a tu’a golo or tu’a beo, who plays the role of the village head.
The history of the the Manggarai Tribe is closely related to the that of the Bima Kingdom from Sumbawa and the Goa Kingdom from Makassar. In the past, Manggarai was a small kingdom under their influence.[3] That’s why the political systems of those two kingdoms are similar.
Language
Most of the people speak the Manggarai language. However, there is more than one dialect of the language, so some members of the community who are geographically distant may not be able to understand each other. The percentage of differences between the dialects is between 60% – 100%.[3]
Here are the dialects and people who speak them:
- Tangge: Tangge Village, Lembor District, West Manggarai.
- Manus: Golo Meni and Mukun Village, Kota Komba District, East Manggarai
- Rajong (Kesar):
- Mbengan Village, Kota Komba District, East Manggarai
- Nanga Meje and Langga Sai Village, Elar District, East Manggarai
- Kepo: Mbengan, Gising (South Elar), Golo, Linus, Sangan Kalo Village, Elar District, East Manggarai
- Rembong: Sangan Kalo, Elar District, East Manggarai
Around 38 other dialects of the language still have not been mapped.
Religion
The majority of Manggarai People’s religion is Catholic (60%). Some of them embrace Islam (30%) and practice ethnic religions (10%).
Cultures and Traditions
Learn more about Manggarai cultures and traditions here!
1. The Traditional House
Their traditional house is known as Mbaru Niang. For them, this house represents a space for loving and a symbol of social-culturalism in the community. The structure is unique because of its shape: It has a big, round, cone-like roof made from palm leaves.
Its round shape symbolizes harmony and balance. Each house has five floors. The first-floor functions as a living space, while the other three are for storage. The fifth floor is used to store offerings and perform religious rituals. You can still find this house in Flores, especially in Wae Rebo.
2. The Traditional Clothing
The traditional clothing of Manggarai is kain songke, which is for both women and men. It is a woven fabric that they usually use in their daily lives. They also use it when performing traditional ceremonies or rituals, considering it symbolizes something special that divers according to its motifs.
- Wela Kaleng symbolizes how humans depend on nature.
- Ranggong symbolizes hard work and honesty.
- Su’i symbolizes limits.
Aside from that, they also use a headdress called sapu for men and balibelo for women.
3. Traditional Ceremonies and Rituals
They perform many traditional ceremonies and rituals throughout the year. Here are some of the examples!
- Ngayu sika and Penti, a harvest ceremony.
- Ghan Woja is a ceremony to welcome the planting period.
- Pesta adat is a ceremony to celebrate a big or major achievement.
- We’e mbaru, a ceremony before someone living in a new house.
- Tae mata, a ritual to release the departure of a deceased family member.
- Barong wae is a ritual that summons an ancestral spirit that guards the spring.
- Barong compang, is a ritual to summon an ancestral spirit who guards the village.
The majority of traditional ceremonies and rituals above use traditional music and dance, so the role of both arts is vital to the community. Gendang Beleq is a Manggarai traditional dance that plays a significant role for them.
The Role of the Manggarai People in Modern Society
Even though some consider themselves Indigenous People of East Nusa Tenggara, their role in modern society is vital. Here are some of them!
1. Preservation of Culture Amid Modernization
The people of Manggarai are an ethnic group that is relatively adaptive and responsive to current developments. Some of them have received a proper education, except those living in remote areas. Some community members also use phones, the Internet, and other technology.
However, efforts are still being made to preserve their cultures and traditions. Some still live in traditional houses, and the local government requires them to wear traditional clothes on certain days. They also routinely organize festivals to showcase their cultures and traditions.
2. Manggarai People and Tourism
They are opening themselves to ecotourism because they have a fascinating culture and traditions. They maintain their culture while interacting with tourists, and introduce their tradition to those who want to learn it. One of those ecotourism is Wae Rebo Village in the Flores Mountains.
FAQs
There are some frequently asked questions to make you understand them better!
1. What Manggarai Means?
The origin of his name comes from the Bima language; “Mangga” means “belonging,” and “Rai” means “king.” So, it literally means “the belonging of the king.”
2. Which Tribe Is Manggarai People?
Manggarai Tribe.
3. What is the Traditional House of the Manggarai People?
Mbaru Niang.
4. Are Manggarai People Still Preserving Their Culture and Traditions?
Yes, especially in some areas like Wae Rebo Village.
These are the things about the Manggarai People, the guardians of Flores Island’s rich cultures and traditions. Some areas in the Flores Mountains, such as Wae Rebo, offer opportunities to learn about their culture. So, are you ready to visit and learn from them?
