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| Bena Village |
Bena Village is one of the oldest and most well-known
traditional villages on Flores Island, located at the foot of Mount Inerie, in
Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. This village serves as an important
representation of the cultural heritage of the indigenous Ngada people, who
continue to preserve their ancestral traditions, social structures, and
architecture across generations.
Geographically, Bena Village is situated about 19 kilometers
from the town of Bajawa and lies at an altitude of over 1,200 meters above sea
level. Its location on the mountain slope offers stunning natural scenery and a
cool, serene atmosphere.
The village consists of nine main clans: Dizi, Dizi Azi,
Wahto, Deru Lalulewa, Deru Solamae, Khopa, Ngada, Ago, and Tobu. Each clan
occupies traditional houses (sa’o) that are neatly arranged around the central
courtyard. These houses are built using traditional architecture with materials
such as wood, bamboo, and thatched grass roofs, and are adorned with symbolic
carvings rich in philosophical and spiritual meaning.
At the center of the village stand the Ngadhu and Bhaga,
two highly sacred traditional structures. The Ngadhu symbolizes male
ancestors and is typically a pillar with a roof resembling an umbrella, while
the Bhaga represents female ancestors and takes the form of a small
house. Both structures are the focal points of traditional rituals and
symbolize the balance of life within the indigenous community.
Bena Village is also known for its rich cultural values,
which are strictly preserved. These include traditional ceremonies, kinship
systems, animistic beliefs blended with modern religions, and handcrafted arts
such as ikat weaving, which is done using traditional methods.
In addition to being a cultural tourism destination, Bena
Village is also an archaeological site, with the discovery of megalithic stones
indicating traces of ancient civilization in the area.
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