Yulianus Irwan

Sofia Ngawul My mother and I had prepared our clothes, bread and water in my backpack. Blacky, my old-fashioned motorbike had been freshly repaired as its old fashioned problems had been so annoying. But now we were all ready to set off for the two and a half hour journey to visit my mom’s cousin who had been sick for a while. One of the main things we could not forget to bring was the medicines we had bought b ased  on the recommendations of the doctor, to carry to the Lumu, where my mother’s cousin had spent her life while suffering from diabetes. All packed, we put on our face masks and helmets ready to leave Ruteng for Lumu. When we were about to get on the motorbike, my Mom’s phone rang and she had to pick up a call from an unknown number.  Within a few seconds I saw my mom’s face dropped and her eyes reddened. I immediately asked “What happened?” My Mom replied “She’s dead.”  But who? I continued to ask. “Mama Esti” she answered, with tears dropping down her face. It was so

During my break after spending three weeks working in the fields in Wakos, I came back to my home in Ruteng to relax and enjoy some time with my family. At noontime, I decided to visit the reading house which is located just a few minutes away from my home. Yes, Rumah Baca Aksara is the name of that place where I could find books to read, located on the outskirts of my small town. My steps slowed as I approached the house. I couldn’t believe my eyes seeing so many newly planted vegetables by the front yard of the building. Green beans tied up by bamboo to grow, some new seeds in the bags, used bottles to fence the vegetables, coffee flowers spreading their scent strongly, and flowers set beautifully around to welcome guests before entering the house.  There was a clear message appeared in my mind, that this is how a reading house should be. This feeling would undoubtedly give anyone a warm welcome. The building of Rumah Baca Aksara ( Source ) Just a year ago before this Rumah Baca Ak

Coffee drinking habit in East Manggarai is very well known with its “ Kopi Pa’it”  or drinking coffee without sugar. If you happen to visit your neighbors, do not expect to have sugar put into your cup of coffee, it is total black coffee that every host serves their guest. No day without drinking black coffee, that is a simple sentence to describe how much people consume “ Kopi Pa’it ”, in the morning after breakfast, during the day after lunch, and in the noontime. This is totally different from other places in Flores that coffee is usually mixed with sugar. For me drinking coffee without sugar is a true fascination. It not a matter of taste but community. It unites and just like most people saying life is begun after coffee. Sitting closer to furnace for heating the body in the morning before going for sunshine is my common activity before going to work. Sharing stories while keeping the woods fire is worth the time. source In Ntangis East Manggarai, almost all people spend the

All the villagers went to light candles to their relative’s graves to invite all the spirits to get involved in the ceremony. I and my relatives went to our grandparents’ graves in order to invite the spirits to be together in “ Penti ” celebration. Bapa Riska who led the ritual at the cemetery had on his hands betel and cigarettes made from palm flower and tobacco that rolled together. It is believed that those are what our ancestor used to consume and smoke when they were still alive. It can be true because this habit is still seen in the current generation of Wakos people. Bapa Riska (right) preparing cigarettes served at the graves After all villagers did rituals at their graves, they were getting prepared for the main event. Adults had their towels on their shoulders and went to a spring for taking baths. Children shouting when the very cold water hit their bodies and women with their babies gathered to wait for their turn. When the day was getting dark, the chief of the village

Go Beyond Borders During the pandemic, all 8 regencies in Flores established blockades in their borders to prevent from the spread of the Coronavirus, only those who can show their travel documents issued by their Head of the regency and Health certificate who can pass the border. As for me who have stopped working in tourism since February, to stay at home is no longer safe for survival, I had to work outside to support the family especially working which is enough for foods. Wakos, the village where I grew up was chosen to be my escape. Knowing that East Manggarai Regency where Wakos is located still in the green zone making me feel alright to spend my time for main reason to harvest rice with relatives. Like some other people saying that it is not a matter of how to improve your life but how to survive in this difficult times. So, for me rice is main thing to possess so that I and the family still survive during pandemic. Wakos is a village situated in the valley about 900 m

Manulalu, the Pyramid Mountain, and the Jurassic park of Flores  My first page of 2019 was begun with a tremendous trip to the village hidden in the jungle, Wae Rebo. It was not because of the destination which made it memorable but the journey and lots of luck behind it.  This time, we started the trip from Bajawa, which is about 8 hour-drive to Dintor, the base of Wae Rebo. When knowing this many hours drive, it was only predicable tire appeared in mind added with the story of some bumpy roads created how crazy the trip would be. But, hold on! That was not the end of the story.  The incredible thing before the trip was the atmosphere around Manulalu Vila Bajawa where my guests Ben and Tim were picked up. They were amazed and energized by the beautiful sunrise and sunset around Manulalu with view of pyramid mountain, Inerie.  View around Manulalu, Bajawa This had made us felt that there would be miracle among the storm. Almost the whole part of the island was having bad weather si