Wae Rebo village

In the middle of a remote high valley on the south coast of Flores Island is a small village called Wae Rebo. Accessible only on foot via inconspicuous mountain paths, it offers a unique cultural experience. It has been inhabited for about 100 years by the Manggarai tribe, an indigenous people of the Nusa Tenggara Timur province.

The village was founded 18 generations ago by an elder named Empu Maro. He had seen the place in a vision and led his tribe to a small clearing at 1,100 meters above sea level, surrounded by dense tropical rainforest, high mountain ridges and picturesque nature. According to him, the place is guarded by a benevolent spirit, which is supposed to protect the Manggarai from evil influences until today. Although the majority of the approximately 200 inhabitants are Catholic Christians, they hold on to their former faith and old traditions. They live mainly from agriculture and the sale of homegrown coffee beans, cinnamon and vanilla beans at local markets in Denge and Lebuan Bajo. Tourism and thus the sale of souvenirs to tourists is also becoming more and more important. The Manggarai are famous for their traditional martial art called "Caci", which they perform at shows in surrounding villages.

The traditional huts, the "Mbaru Niang", are a witness to the local culture and the most popular attraction. These are up to seven-story, conical wooden buildings with roofs made of dried palm leaves, in which sometimes up to eight families live. Only the lowest floor is used as living space, the rest is used for storing food, objects and offerings. This type of housing was once typical of this region, but today such houses can only be found in Wae Rebo. Together with numerous architects from Jakarta, the remaining houses have been restored and today again provide a home for the residents of the village and overnight guests.

Besides the active and authentic cultural experience, a visit to Wae Rebo is already worthwhile thanks to the incredible landscape that surrounds the village. Light pollution is unthinkable here and no sign of civilization is visible far and wide, except for Wae Rebo and the inconspicuous mountain paths that connect it to the coastal village of Denge. Under these conditions and the additional fact that electricity is only available four hours a day (no problem, cell phone signal is non-existent here anyway), the stars shine especially bright in the sky at night. Songbirds chirp late into the night and orchids grow on the trees here, not just in flower pots. Whether you bring a book to read or listen to the exciting stories of the villagers, the visit will remain in your memory forever.

The way to Wae Rebo is long, but doable with a healthy physical condition. From Lebuan Bajo, a three-hour drive separates you from the coastal town of Denge, from where the hike of several hours can be started. Good shoes and enough water are essential for the ascent, which leads through dense forests and past rivers. Since a visit to the village is only possible with an overnight stay and it can get very cold, especially in the dry season, you should also not forget to take a thick jacket and a pair of wool socks for the night. After Lebuan Bajo, there is no ATM to be found, so don't forget cash to pay drivers or souvenirs in the village.

As a sign of gratitude, you can bring small gifts for the children of the village. Books in Indonesian language are very suitable for this purpose, since the nearest school is in Denge and the children are raised in their native language (Tombo Manggarai).

Wae Rebo has piqued your interest? On our unique Indonesia trip we spend a night in this village and much more!