Sumba Island

Sumba is an island in eastern Indonesia, is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To the northwest of Sumba is Sumbawa, to the northeast, across the Sumba Strait is Flores, to the east, across the Savu Sea, is Timor, and to the south, across part of the Indian Ocean, is Australia.

Sumba has a highly stratified society based on castes. This is especially true of East Sumba, whereas West Sumba is more ethnically and linguistically diverse. Sumba is famous for the ikat textiles, particularly very detailed hand-woven ikat, which is prepared on the island. The process of dying and weaving ikat is labor-intensive and one piece can take months to prepare. Sumba is also famed for its special horse breeds and the spectacular 'Pasola Festivals'.

Fantastic island to explore, usually in combination with Komodo and / or Flores islands.