The Abui Tribe: Life Without Electricity in Takpala, Alor
- Arianti Widya's
VIVA – Alor Regency in East Nusa Tenggara has several tribes that still maintain the customs that have existed since their ancestors. One of them, the Abui tribe. The Abui has a unique way of life such as they still survive without electricity to this day.
To be sure, this Abui tribe is located in Takpala Village. Takpala Village is a traditional village in West Lembur Village, North Central Alor District, Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Even though times have developed and modern, the Abui people remain unaffected. They still have no electricity and maintain traditional houses that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Abui Tribe
- Arianti Widya
It was conveyed by the Head of the Abui Tribe Studio or local people known as Sanggar, Mr. Sipri.
"Yes, there are already some who have a phone here but they will go down to the sea (areas or villages near the sea) to charge their phone, but the rest, yes, we will continue like this," Pak Sipri remarked.
The Abui tribe in Takpala Village has become a government tourism asset and is protected by Alor Regency regulations. Many tourists visit the uniqueness of this tribe.
Usually, when there are tourists who visit Takpala Village, the Abui people will perform the Lego-Lego dance, and invite tourists to join in dancing together.
Takpala Village Entrance, Abui Tribe
- Arianti Widya
Tourists will also be given black coffee, and small snacks typical of abui. The Abui people will also open a small market that sells souvenirs such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, woven cloth, or in the Abui language, namely Noang, and many others.
Not only that, the Abui people rent out their traditional clothes to tourists. The price for renting a set of clothes is Rp50,000 and more.
Also, Mr. Sipri explains the traditional house in the Abui Tribe. Each house in the Abui Tribe consists of one family head, and here there are 14 Heads of Families. Their traditional house consists of four levels.
"So, the first level is for meetings or receiving guests, the second level is used for cooking and sleeping, the third level is used for storing groceries, for the fourth level as a place to store valuables." Mr. Sipri explained.
Two Sacred Houses in the Abui Tribe
- Arianti Widya
In Takpala Village, Abui Tribe, two sacred houses are not allowed to be opened by anyone. Both houses only can be opened only for certain occasions. The two houses are called the white house or Kanuruwat and the Blackhouse or Kulwat.
"The house has been around for generations; it's been named like that from a long time ago." Mr. Sipri remarked.
Another uniqueness of the Abui people, they always eat yellow betel or local people known as Sirih Kemuning. Sirih Kemuning is used for body health.
The Abui people still do gardening of tubers, corn, and others as their main livelihood, apart from receiving tourists who will come.
To get to Takpala Village, the Abui Tribe, tourists need about half an hour from Kalabahi, the capital city of Alor Regency, or about 30 Kilometers to reach the traditional village.
