North Sumatra Governor Commits to Revitalising Tetegewo Megalithic Site to Preserve Nias Heritage

“Because this is an important historical legacy for the Nias indigenous people, it must be protected.”

Medan (ANTARA) - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has committed to revitalising the Tetegewo Megalithic Site in Hilisao’ötö Village, Siduaori Subdistrict, South Nias Regency, in order to safeguard the ancestral civilisational heritage of the Nias people, while also developing the Siduaori area as a leading historical tourism destination in the region.

“Because this is an important historical legacy for the Nias indigenous people, it must be protected,” Governor Bobby said after visiting the Tetegewo Megalithic Site together with the French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, in South Nias on Saturday.

He added that the heritage site in the Siduaori area holds hundreds of stone artefacts thousands of years old, considered to have great historical and cultural value for the Nias indigenous community.

During the visit, Governor Bobby and his delegation walked some 200 metres from the vehicle drop-off point along a rocky ascending path towards the site.

He said the Nias people hope the site will remain protected and receive government attention, particularly in terms of area management and improved infrastructure access to the location.

“What matters most is how we can revitalise this site and others as well, so that the stones here remain preserved,” Governor Bobby said.

He stressed that the North Sumatra Provincial Government will comprehensively revitalise the historical site, both physically and in terms of area management.

“We want to build up Nias. For this historical site, it is not only about the place itself, but how these artefacts can benefit the community through tourism. This is our shared task, and we, the North Sumatra Provincial Government, will carry out the revitalisation,” Governor Bobby said.

Hulu, a resident of South Nias, expressed pride at the provincial government’s attention to development in the Nias Islands, including the preservation of historical sites far from the town centre.

“If this place could be developed even better, we would certainly be very grateful. Moreover, the Governor has already visited Nias several times. This adds to our hope that this historical heritage can be visited by many tourists,” Hulu said.