smoking mentawai man during meeting in ethnographic trip to Indonesia fully

Indonesia

Trip to Indonesia:
Mentawai tribe in Siberut and Minangkabau culture in Sumatra

2 – 17 Aug 2023 TRIP COMPLETED

Indonesia, known as the country of the 'thousand islands', but only in the Siberut Archipelago live the Mentawai, a tribe that continues to tattoo their bodies to this day. The mythical 'flower men', calling themselves Mentawai, live in the most remote areas of 2 islands of Siberut, off the coast of Sumatra.

This trip aims to live with various traditional communities of flower men or Mentawai, learn about their traditions, rituals, and day to day in the middle of the tropical jungle. We will also have the opportunity to get closer to the Minangkabau culture in Sumatra. We will visit the old Palace of the Minangkabau Kingdom, as well as some traditional towns and markets. Throughout the trip we will explore beautiful natural landscapes.

This trip is a true anthropological and cultural adventure through Indonesia, one of the Last Places in Asia. We will move in a canoe and we will go on foot through swampy terrain. We will sleep in local houses and tents. In the trip itinerary you will find all the details. Download it using the form that you will find below. Click here to easily reach the form.

Our trip to Indonesia: what we will discover

Last Places organizes ethnographic trips to Indonesia for visiting Mentawai and Minangkabau tribes

The Mentawai

The Mentawai tribe has remained isolated, preserving their customs. Their clothing consists of a loincloth made of tree bark and skirts made of palm or banana leaves.
They believe that each element of the forest has its own soul, so they ask for forgiveness and give explanations before harming or killing any being.
Traditional Mentawai medicine is based on plants and its doctors are shamans or sikreis.

meeting with mentawai tattoed woman fishing during ethnographic trip to Siberut Indonesia tattoed hands of mentawai man

© Photos by Aníbal Bueno


Do you want to know the itinerary and all the details of this trip to Indonesia?

This trip is a true anthropological and cultural adventure through Indonesia, one of the Last Places in Asia. Click on the button below to easily reach the itinerary download form.

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