2. Circumnavigation of Sumatra

Nias Island

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Portrait of a Nias mother and child, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> Nias Island, off the west coast of Sumatra, is the site of one of the few remaining neolithic cultures in the world.
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Portrait of a Nias mother and child, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra

Nias Island, off the west coast of Sumatra, is the site of one of the few remaining neolithic cultures in the world.

  • Fisherman in outrigger canoe, Tuluk Dalam harbour, Nias Island, Sumatra
  • Welcome ceremony on village stairs, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> The villages are built on hills and approached, as in this case, by stone staircases.
  • Portrait of a Nias warrior, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> The warrior is wearing the typical ceremonial outfit.
  • Portrait of a Nias warrior in ceremonial dress, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra
  • Portrait of a Nias warrior-3, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra
  • Portrait of a Nias warrior-4, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra
  • Portrait of a Nias warrior-5, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> The palm tree behind his head looks at firsst glance like it is part of his headress
  • Portrait of a Nias warrior-6, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra
  • Pair of Nias warriors, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> The warrior on the right was quite a character!
  • Nias children, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> The children are posing in front of a Nias house, which are built on pilings with the living quarters on the second floor, entered by a narrow steep stairway (for defensive purposes).
  • Village street showing the traditional houses, Bawomataluo village, Nias Island.
  • Portrait of a Nias mother and child, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> Nias Island, off the west coast of Sumatra, is the site of one of the few remaining neolithic cultures in the world.
  • Curious villagers watching the war dances from a traditional Nias house, Bawomataluo village, Nias Island.
  • Warriors massing in front of chief's house, Bawomataluo village, Nias Island.
  • War dance in the village square, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> Not easy to photograph this psychedelic chaos, with the warriors producing a riot of colour and activity! Some portraits of individual warriors can be found here <a href="http://goo.gl/JdqYc">http://goo.gl/JdqYc</a><br /> <br /> Again there were many excellent photos posted yesterday. It is getting difficult to keep up with making comments when everyone is outdoing themselves these days! There are many great photos in the later pages that now go uncommented on. Too bad, since I'm sure those photographers would appreciate some encouragement, as well. I will try to make more of an effort to seek out some of those photographs and encouage others to do the same.
  • Village chief in front of megalithic stone altars, Bawomataluo village, Nias Island.
  • Nias warrior in traditional dress, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra
  • Portrait of a warrior, Bawomatuluo village, Nias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> I wonder what his costume is made of. Any ideas, anyone? I though it might be some kind of sea sponge (?)
  • Warrior in interesting costume, Bawomatuluo village, Niias Island, Sumatra<br /> <br /> Still haven't figured out what his costume is made of The best I can ome up with is dried sponges.
  • A composite showing the ritual of stone jumping, Bawomatuluo Village, Nias Island, Sumatra (best seen at large sizes)<br /> <br /> Nias Island is the site of one of the last megalithic cultures, which are characterized by the use of stone monuments, statues and other stone objects (Stonehenge is an example of an ancient megalithic site). The Nias villages are build on hills; Bawomatuluo Village (meaning Sun Hill) is 400 m above sea level.<br /> <br /> This is a PhotoShop composite of a sequence of 5 photos of one jumper, taken in rapid succession. The background was desaturated so the jumper could be seen more clearly. <br /> <br /> Stone Jumping (called hombo batu), is a manhood ritual where young men leap over stone towers 2 to 2.5 meters high. In the past, the top of the stone was covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo, and the jumpers carried a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. It evolved out of warfare between island tribes, who fortified their villages with high stone walls. Warriors who could jump over the stone walls and other obstacles set up by the enemy could easily conquer their rivals.
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