- Name: The Tomb of Raja Tamu Umbu Njaka
- Archive Type: Place
- Early Formation: Unidentified
- Available File(s): Photos
- Keywords: Marapu Indigenous religion, sacred tradition, materiality, tomb, king, Sumba, Indonesia.
- Link: –
This kingly tomb is located in Raja Prailiu Village, Waingapu, East Sumba, Indonesia. The tomb is a 40-ton stone tomb brought in from West Sumba using a freight car. The tomb was built without the use of adhesives such as cement and the like. This king’s tomb model is common in the Marapu community on Sumba Island..
What distinguishes one tomb from another tomb is the decoration of the statues found on the tomb. The statues on the tomb show the hobbies or things that the King liked the most when he was alive. As shown in the picture, there are statues of deer, hunters, and other forest animals. According to Umbu Remi, the family of King Umbu Njaka, the statues tell of Umbu Njaka’s love for hunting. Therefore, the statue also decorates the King’s tomb. At some other kings’ meals, the creation of statues as decoration depended heavily on the late king’s hobbies or love for something. In other places, the tomb may not be given any decoration like the king’s tomb in Praiyawang Village, East Sumba.
Photo(s)
Curated by Jear Nenohai (December 2, 2024); Edited by Abel K. Aruan (January 30, 2025).