Nusa Kenari, beautiful and captivating<\/p>\n
Yemris Fontuina, Contributor, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara<\/p>\n
Alor, one of 14 regencies in East Nusa Tenggara, is widely
\nknown to boast abundant natural resources. The regency,
\nconsisting of 15 small islets, is intimately called Nusa Kenari.<\/p>\n
Nine of its islets are inhabited by Abui, Alor, Belagar,
\nDeing, Kebola, Kawel, Kelong, Kemang, Kramang, Kui, Lemma,
\nManeta, Mauta, Seboda, Wersin and Wuwuli tribes characterized by
\ntheir own unique customs, cultures and vernacular styles.<\/p>\n
These tribes speak at least 13 different dialects such as
\nAlor, Lemma, Kafoa, Abui, Tewa, Blagar, Woisiki, Kabola, Kolana,
\nKui, Kolona, Tulangpui and Kiraman.<\/p>\n
Some 160,000 people live in the area and about 74.16 percent
\nof the population is Protestant, 22.40 percent are Muslim and the
\nrest are Catholic, Hindu or animist.<\/p>\n
Most of the islands in this regency have steep, lush green
\nhills where flora that have potential economic value such as
\ncandle nuts, coffee, vanilla, almond, cocoa and clove trees grow.<\/p>\n
This regency is also rich in natural resources like black
\nrocks, kaolin, quartz, pumice stones, tin, iron ore, gold and
\nscenic white sandy beaches.<\/p>\n
Nusa Kenari possesses great marine wealth ranging from sea
\nweed, coral reefs to beautiful sea beds with a wide variety of
\nsea fauna, including Napoleon fish.<\/p>\n
Despite differences in their culture and faiths, the people
\nthere are relatively tolerant, respecting each other's beliefs
\nbased on brotherhood and fraternity concepts which have been
\nhanded down from generation to generation and locally known as
\nBela Baja or a vow of brotherhood. Nusa Kenari is indeed gorgeous
\nand captivating.<\/p>\n
As is the case in other places under the sun, Nusa Kenari has
\nits own natural and mystical uniqueness and wonder, a reflection
\nof the legends prevailing among the people there.<\/p>\n
About some 35 kilometers away from Kalabahi, the capital town
\nof Alor regency, or an hour's drive by car, you can find Tuti
\nSprings.<\/p>\n
Locals believe that the springs were originally two lovers.<\/p>\n
A legend prevailing among the people of Bukapiting village,
\nNorth-East Alor district says that once in a dry season a village
\ngirl called Aribe, hailing from Maremang village, was making love
\nwith Salbe, a young man from Bukapiting village, in a cave and
\ngot trapped there.<\/p>\n
This love relationship was not approved by their fellow
\nvillagers. So, when Aribe and Salbe were making love, the
\nvillagers blocked the entrance to the cave.<\/p>\n
Aribe and Salbe tried hard to escape, but to no avail. They
\nfinally died of oxygen deficiency. Their dead bodies exploded,
\ncreating two springs of hot and cold water in the area.<\/p>\n
Located at the top of a hill and covered with green foliage
\nwith captivating postcard natural beauty, Tuti Springs is a home
\nto many animals like deer, boars, parrots, cockatoos, snakes and
\nporcupines. You can play with them as they peacefully co-exist
\nwith the locals living around the springs.<\/p>\n
What is also unique - or mystical? - about these springs is
\nthat despite their location of some three kilometers from the
\ncoast, they can generate salt with a high level of iodine
\ncontent. The water spurting from these springs, is accompanied by
\na booming sound, and is very nice to look at.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with The Jakarta Post, Zet Tanti,
\nBukapiting village chief, said that Tuti Springs could produce a
\nlarge quantity of salt with a high level of iodine content. When
\nthe dry season comes, people from other areas of Alor island will
\ncome to these springs just to get the salt.<\/p>\n
Besides, many people come to the cold spring as it is said
\nthat the water can cure various ailments such as flatulence,
\nasthma and a liver disease.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, people flock to the hot spring as the water is also
\nsaid heal to skin diseases. Visitors also take eggs, bananas and
\nedible tubers to the hot springs and put them into the hot water
\nthen eat them.<\/p>\n
Locals from Bukapiting and Maremang, however, refrain from
\ntaking any of the salt from Tuti hot springs as they believe if
\nthey eat this salt they will court disaster or get a deadly
\ndisease.<\/p>",
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