Belaraghi Village: Recommended For An Authentic Culture Experience
- Destination's
- Filan Kut
- No Comments
As a tour guide in Flores, I keep a secret list of destinations that I consistently recommend to guests who genuinely want to experience authentic culture. At the top of that list is, of course, Belaraghi Traditional Village. I often bring my guests here, and honestly, I always miss the place myself. Why? Because its location, far from the crowds, always provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere, especially when we choose to stay overnight.
Getting to Know One of the Old Ngada Villages in Flores
Administratively, Belaraghi is located in Aimere Sub-district, Ngada Regency. Upon arrival, my eyes are immediately drawn to the distinctive, square-shaped village layout. You will notice their unique, peaked traditional houses (rumah adat). Similar to other Ngada villages, such as the iconic Bena Village, the houses here are constructed from thatch and bamboo.
Every visit offers us unparalleled cultural authenticity. From the moment they set foot in the village, guests are warmly welcomed by the community. They even greet us with a special customary welcoming ritual, a moment that is always sacred for both my guests and me.
Beliefs, Traditions, and Livelihoods in Belaraghi Village
The people of Belaraghi primarily earn their living as field farmers. They produce incredible commodities: cashews, candlenuts, nutmeg, pepper, coconuts, chocolate, and many more. They use these productive crops for their own consumption and also export them. Furthermore, they also grow upland rice as their staple food. Interestingly, some residents produce the famous local traditional drink, SOPI, which is processed from lontar palm tree. They send this SOPI production to various cities in Flores to be traded.
Although the majority of Belaraghi residents are Catholic, they still firmly hold on to the animistic beliefs inherited from their ancestors. To this day, they continue to perform various rituals as a deep form of respect for nature and their forefathers.
Activities You Can Do in Belaraghi Village
Belaraghi’s isolated location actually becomes its main attraction. I feel this village is capable of providing an authentic experience for my guests, and even for myself.
Here are the main activities I always encourage my guests to do:
My client with local people in Belaraghi Staying Overnight: An Irreplaceable Authentic Experience
The thing I most highly recommend is staying overnight. Because, there we have enough time to observe their daily lives and have the opportunity to exchange stories. Every visitor is directed to stay in a local resident’s house. We usually house a maximum of four people per home. There, we share a simple dinner and breakfast that the family has prepared. Of course, they also provide warm coffee or tea upon our request!
Witnessing the Distinctive Welcoming Ritual
One of the most memorable moments for guests is the welcoming ritual which involves a chicken. This chicken is offered to the ancestors to ask for permission and introduce us. However, the chicken is also slaughtered to become our dinner menu!
For the local people, chicken meat is considered a special menu that they only serve when there are guests. Essentially, this ritual is a very high form of respect from the community to the ancestors and nature, as well as their way of hosting us.
Walking Tour with Local Residents in the Plantations
Besides observing life within the village, I always offer a walking tour around the settlement. We walk with a local resident through their plantation land. During the journey, you will directly see various productive plants, from coffee, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, to cashews.
How to Reach Belaraghi: Transportation & Accessibility
To get to Belaraghi, the journey starts from Ruteng or Bajawa, then proceeds to Aimere.
From Aimere, you have two options:
- Trekking: You can undertake a trek for about three hours, while enjoying the beautiful forest and savanna landscape.
- Driving: If you do not want to walk, you can drive for 30 minutes from the intersection to the end of the road accessible by vehicle.
Of course, visiting using a private vehicle or using our packaged tour services is the most effective way. However, you can also try public transportation to Aimere, then hire a motorcycle taxi (ojek) to reach Belaraghi.
What Budget Should Be Prepared?
Belaraghi sets an accommodation rate of IDR 250,000 per person (minimum 2 people). If you are a solo traveler, you are required to pay IDR 500,000. This fee is handed over directly to the host family and is used for operational needs during your visit.
In addition, you need to prepare a voluntary donation for the village tourism management. Meanwhile, for a one-day visit without staying overnight, you only need to give a donation. Don’t forget, prepare extra money if you are interested in hiring a local guide for the walking tour!
Belaraghi is not just a tourist destination; rather, it is a window to witness a tranquil, peaceful life rich in the traditions of the Ngada ancestors. We believe the experience of interacting directly with the community, observing rituals, and savouring their local produce will become a priceless memory for you. Therefore, do not let travel complexities hinder your intention. If you desire a smooth, well-planned, and meaningful journey to the heart of Flores’ culture, then we are here to help. Entrust your travel planning to us, and we will ensure you have the best experience in Belaraghi Traditional Village.
