On his first trip to the South Pacific, Captain James Cook anchored in Savu, an island that was not on one of his paintings, and stayed for five days. As a cartographer, Cook could not resist the urge to trace the entire island, and ordered his ship, the Endeavour, to be anchored off the west coast of the island.
Not only cooked Savu put on nautical charts, but he also collected information on its physical configuration, the people and their social organization and livelihoods. For years, the Cook's journal has remained the main source of information about the island. The wide range and depth of data and information collected is really stunning, but it must be remembered that Cook was accompanied by the naturalist and botanist Joseph Banks, the naturalist and physician Daniel Solander, the astronomer Charles Green, and four artists.
On Savu they recorded a particular description of the island of Savu, its products and its people, with a specimen of their language, Chapter IX - Book III, James Cook an account of travel to make discoveries in the southern hemisphere .
routes of Captain James Cook's voyages. The first voyage is shown in red, second and third in blue green
Cook was obviously very attentive and interested observer. He notes that the dress of both sexes is made of cotton fabric [which] ... and they two pieces, each about two yards long manufacturing, and a yard and a half wide, make a dress : one of them is worn round the middle, and the other covers the upper part of the body . He added that the difference between the dress of both sexes consist mainly of how to wear the piece size .
It is quite interesting to note that 0 years after this observation has been made, the dress code has not changed, which is very likely due to the isolation of long island.
I went there some 40 years hitchhiking on a missionary plane Air service. Savu was recently raised from the sub-district of kabupaten level. The area consists of three islands: Rai Hawu (Savu), Rai Rai Jua and uninhabited dana- rai is the word for the island in the local language
The island is a stark. arid beauty. Cook, appeared to have been very impressed with it. visitors later, however, less - the J.K. missionary Wijngaarden, for example, described as "a piece of stone in a huge sea" The main rains fall between November and March;. during the long dry season most of the rivers dry and the water must be drawn from the few remaining wells . the island is largely covered with grassland, coconut and palm fan with stalls tamarind, citrus and mangoes. the rice and mung beans are grown, too.
special mention should be made of the fan-palm, or lontar Every part of this palm is used. - the trunk for building houses and bridges, while the leaves are made into roofing materials, buckets and musical instruments But the main use of the lontar is its juice, which in the words of Cook. ... is obtained from this tree, cutting the buds that are to produce flowers, shortly after appearance, and engaging in small baskets made from the leaves, which are so close that hold liquid without leaking .
liquid is the common drink on the island and, during the tapping season is collected morning and evening. Outside of the beverage, the liquid is condensed in syrup or raw sugar. During the dry season when other crops are scarce, the syrup is the main food for the population and mixed with rice husks, for their cattle.
Cook also mentions ceremonial stone he saw on a hill near Seba, the current capital of the district and the bay where Cook anchored. Cook compared the megaliths at Stonehenge and took them to be monuments erected by previous leaders. He also asked how the stones were erected there: Most of the stones are so large, it is difficult to see by what means they were led to their current position, especially as it is the hilltop .
traditional ikat garments in Savu
I also visited the stones and had read Palm harvest , by James J. Fox, these stones are, in fact, sacrificial altars of the priests of Seba.
territorial parts of Savu are not identified by their leaders but by their priestly order. Deo Rai, Lord of Earth, is the highest rank, and the Descendant of the Sun, Apu Lodo, ranked second. Their responsibilities are to conduct ceremonies that are associated with agricultural cycles and tapping. In Seba, eg, Deo Rai is identified with mung beans and Lodo Apu with rice, while in GECA former is responsible for the entire growing season and Apu Lodo for Lontar-tapping season.
During my visit, I met Apu Lodo Seba and I took the opportunity to question him on the stones, and in particular how the stones were brought to this hill. His answer was very decisive and unwavering: "My ancestors called the stones of the sea"
I used the stones as a backdrop for a photo shoot on the island of ikat textiles, modeled by the girls as I had pointed out to the camat during welcome to dance the night. another example call of power, so to speak, even if it n did not prevent the girls to complain loudly and saying they wanted to go home after asking for nearly two hours.
for those who are not familiar with ikat, the film is dyed the desired pattern before it is placed on the loom. A dye binding technique, in fact, and if the fabric is believed to have several colors, it must be repeated for each color. therefore, all the process of dying weaving, can take up to four months.
in short
Where to stay
Hotel Rai Hawu, Km.14 Desa Eilode, Savu Tengah. Simple, basic accommodation.
But a recent island visitor recommended that as soon as you step off the plane, just ask anyone where to stay and someone welcome you immediately.
How to get there
Take the ferry from Kupang, Timor, or from Waingapu, Sumba.
What
Savu many pristine white sand beaches. Surfers generally come to the beach in Uba Ae Mesara. This beach is also known as a place for the public.
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