Bawomataluo Village and Stone Jumping

About this place

A traditional hilltop village in the south of Nias island whose name means hill of the sun, reached by a long stone stair that opens onto a broad paved street lined with tightly packed traditional timber houses on massive posts, with the chief's house, Omo Nifolasara, the largest traditional house in Nias, at its centre. The village is on the tentative list for World Heritage. It is famous for fahombo, stone jumping: a young man runs and leaps over a stone tower about two metres high, once a test of youths' maturity and readiness for battle and now the symbol of all Nias. The square also holds huge stone slabs and seats of the Nias megalithic culture. Jumps are not staged daily but arranged for groups, at a customary fee of about IDR 150,000 per show, and traditional costume can be hired for photos. Visitors are asked for a donation on entry. The village is about three hours by car from Gunungsitoli and close to Sorake Beach, so combine them in one day.