Mentawai Islands: Culture, Nature Life and Water Sports

Talking about beaches, waves, coconut drinks, surfs, snorkeling, et cetera will imagine to Hawaii or Tahiti. Rarely people realize there is a great place in South East Asia for those above named Mentawai Islands. It belongs to West Sumatra region, Indonesia and one of the oldest ancient cultures that still exist until today. Mentawai Islands have 4 main islands, Sipora, Siberut, North Pagai and South Pagai. There are several small islands.

Mentawai Islands can be reached by plane or cruise. There is direct flight from Singapore or Padang (the capital of West Sumatra). By visiting Mentawai islands, we are not only taking pleasure in beautiful sceneries but also indigenous cultures, nature life and awesome tribal community.

1.Mentawai and Indigenous cultures
Native people are still living in their own way. They led by sikerei (Shaman), the highest position in community or a leader. They believe in manifestation of soul creation even now some of them convert to Christian and Islam but in fact, they still use their ancient belief. Native people live in harmony, and their social level showed by kinds of tattoos or in local language called titi in their body. The tattoo has deep meaning. Native Mentawai also sharpen their teeth and smoke from cigarretes that making by themselves.

They are warm and kind people who do not like to have conflicts and break lovely environment. A clan lives in a long house called uma and still using their own dress called kabit, made from root and skin of tree. Mentawai's women also do not use anything to cover their breast or topless. The native eats sagu as main dishes and cultivate by themselves. They catch fishes and go to forest for hunting, also plant fruits.

2.Nature Life in Mentawai
Native people concern about environment, they never cut the trees just for land clearing except to build uma or make a ship. If they need wood for cooking, they will collect old twigs or cut death trees. Mentawai is a National Park and conservation area. In Mentawai can be found various flora and fauna which some of them are scarce. The beautiful white sand beaches are very convenience places for relax and refreshing. Snorkeling or diving is the best choice for learning about the amazing sea.

There are 4 small endemic primates that only can be seen in Mentawai, named as bilou, bokkoi, simakobu and joja. In the sea, can be seen dolphins, sea mammals called dugong, sea turtels, various fishes and flora. Birds are unique and even Siberut Island named as "Galapagos Asia".

3.Mentawai and Surfing
Another best from Mentawai is surfing spots. Mentawai has known by surfers from Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Japan and French as one of the best spots in the world. There are many spots that are challenging. With 4-7 ft of waves, the spots are attracting surfers to try and subject to them. 4 Bobs, E-bay, A-Frames, Pit Stop, Bank Vaults, et cetera are name of some famous spots for surfing. Currently, many foreigners come to work together with local people and government. They build cottages, resorts, spas, et cetera to attract more tourists to come.

Mentawai Islands' vacation package is combining three types of tourism elements. They are indigenous cultures, nature life and water sports. Under tropical sunrise vacation package will be an incredible memory. Enjoy your trip to Mentawai Islands!

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