Journey of Ancestor – Lawe Lujang Boat

One of the most exquisite original Flores boat carvings with a length of 3-meters long, narrates the tale of the Waerebo ancestors who traveled from beyond the continent and made stops in Minangkabau, Toraja, and Minahasa. Because they have common roots, the carving’s outlines represent those areas as a single, coherent entity. The ancestors finally chose to settle in the East Manggarai area because it was the only safest place to survive at the time. The fertile highlands near the water springs that grow virtually along the slopes of the steep cliffs with the fields of rice, coffee, cloves, and coconuts live in the village which until now is known as the village above the sky, Waerebo. The funny looking figures symbolize friendliness and kinship of people in Flores. The shape of the boat’s head is Lawe Lujang bird. It  is almost like a mythical bird and believed to bring good luck.