Adonara Island

Adonara is an island in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, located east of the larger island of Flores in the Solor Archipelago. To the east lies Lembata, formerly known as Lomblen. It is the highest of the islands of the archipelago, reaching an altitude of 1,659 metres, and it has an area of 497 km². It is in the East Nusa Tenggara province.

Local history on Adonara is documented from the sixteenth century, when Portuguese traders and missionaries established a post on the nearby island of Solor. By that time Adonara and the surrounding islands were ritually divided between a population of coastal dwellers known as Paji, and a population mainly settling the mountainous inland called Demon. The Paji were susceptible to Islam, while the Demon tended to fall under Portuguese influence. The Paji areas on Adonara contained three principalities, namely Adonara proper (centered on the north coast of the island), and Terong and Lamahala (on the south coast). Together with two principalities on Solor, Lohayong and Lamakera, they constituted a league called Watan Lema ("the five shores"). The Watan Lema allied with the Dutch East India Company(VOC) in 1613, confirmed in 1646. The Adonara principalities had frequent feuds with the Portuguese in Larantuka on Flores, and were not always obedient to the Dutch authorities.

In the course of the nineteenth century, the ruler of Adonara (proper) in the north strengthened his position in the Solor Archipelago; by then, he was also the overlord of parts of eastern Flores and Lembata. The Demon areas stood under the suzerainty of the principality of Larantuka, which in turn was under Portuguese rule until 1859, when it was ceded to the Netherlands. The principalities of Larantuka and Adonara (proper) were abolished by the Indonesian government in 1962. Some post-independence local officials trace their roots to past rulers, called raja, of Adonara (proper). 

Adonara & Tourism

Adonara Island is a part of the Indonesian regency of East Flores. Most of Adonara people livings in out side from this island and distribute for nearest islands till in far away island and regional like tawao, nunukan and sabah.

Adonara Island is beauty in tourism aspect, especially in culture. People beside this island knowing well Adonara with their stylish food named "jagung titi". There also produce unique garment that produced by traditional that called as "kewatek".

How to enjoy Adonara as a Tourism place Adonara is reached by airplane from Jakarta to Kupang, and by ferry to Larantuka. From Larantuka to Adonara will traveled by boat. Totally price in transport around 2.0million - 2.5million IDR for one trip from jakarta to Adonara. This price also similar same in value when we using trip from jakarta via maumere to larantuka to adonara.

The administrative centre of Adonara is the town of Waiwerang, that has a port harbor as usual be function as transit port from Larantuka to Lewoleba or from Kupang to Lewoleba to Larantuka.

In Adonara, most people coming as tourist take a rest in Waiwerang, at ASRI Hotel, around one hundred metres from port harbor. In this place of rest we could see and enjoy sunrise coming beside Ile Boleng - a mountain - that post in front of ASRI Hotel. (Price for one night with standard service around one hundred thousand IDR).

To enjoy full in cultural aspect, listening and observing in this Adonara island generally need three up to five full days. Public transportation not necessary used by people who will enjoy this island, because in common serviced by private transportation like motorcycle. Price in charge for this negotiable depend on hour of trip and distances.

Special Culture in Tourism

Some place of Adonara has trying to renewal their grand-tradition by built some miniature of tradition-house that called as "rumah adat". Most of that place, also prepare information concerning tourism interest like Adonara histories and present progress concerning this island people activities.