Yamdena
Encyclopedia
Yamdena is the largest of the Tanimbar Islands
in the Maluku Province of Indonesia
. Saumlaki is the chief town, located on the south end of the island.
The island has a range of forested hills along its eastern coast, while its western coast is lower. The forests are inhabited by wild Water Buffalo
.
The Yamdena language is spoken on and around the island. Christianity is the main religion, but ancestor worship is still practised. Handicrafts on the island include woodcarving, fine goldwork, Ikat
weaving (mainly on nearby Selaru Island). In 1987 a new species of Bush Warbler
was recorded on the island.
Megalith
: In the village of Sangliat Dol there is an antique stone stairway that leads from the beach to a boat shaped stone platform.
There are several similar ones but less preserved sites on the island which originally represented the boats on which the inhabitants' ancient ancestors arrived on the island.
Tanimbar Islands
The Tanimbar Islands, also called Timor Laut, are a group of about 65 islands in the Maluku province of Indonesia, including Fordata, Larat, Maru, Molu, Nuswotar, Selaru, Selu, Seira, Wotap, Wuliaru and Yamdena.-Geography:...
in the Maluku Province of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Saumlaki is the chief town, located on the south end of the island.
The island has a range of forested hills along its eastern coast, while its western coast is lower. The forests are inhabited by wild Water Buffalo
Water Buffalo
The water buffalo or domestic Asian water buffalo is a large bovine animal, frequently used as livestock in southern Asia, and also widely in South America, southern Europe, northern Africa, and elsewhere....
.
The Yamdena language is spoken on and around the island. Christianity is the main religion, but ancestor worship is still practised. Handicrafts on the island include woodcarving, fine goldwork, Ikat
Ikat
Ikat, or Ikkat, is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres....
weaving (mainly on nearby Selaru Island). In 1987 a new species of Bush Warbler
Cettia
Cettia is a genus of small insectivorous songbirds which make up the core of the newly recognized family Cettiidae. They were formerly placed in the Sylviidae, which at that time was a wastebin taxon for the warbler-like Sylvioidea. The range of this genus extends from Europe to the western Pacific...
was recorded on the island.
Megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
: In the village of Sangliat Dol there is an antique stone stairway that leads from the beach to a boat shaped stone platform.
There are several similar ones but less preserved sites on the island which originally represented the boats on which the inhabitants' ancient ancestors arrived on the island.