Kolam Air Nona is a large fresh water pool fed by a spring. It has lovely huge trees over the water, and is within Kupang’s city. Nearby there are a number of home weaving industries. The name of this pool comes from a story of an unfortunate lady. One day she went five kilometres down to the river to collect a bucket of water.  On her way back as she carried it on her head a chicken flew into the bucket. The bucket fell to the ground, creating the pool, and the lady drowned in what has become the source of the spring. These days the place where the spring occurs, is covered over by a cement wall and roof because it is very deep and too dangerous to be left open.

On Perintis Kemerdekaan Street in the newer area of Kupang, is the NTT Museum.  This museum is worth a visit. There are exhibits of clothing and weaving from the whole of NTT province. Traditional tools, hunting and farming implements, jewellery, household goods, handcrafts, and open replica houses from all over NTT are displayed. There are separate sections devoted to musical instruments, education in NTT, and even a large whale skeleton. 

Toblolong Beach is a quiet beach beside Toblolong fishing village, 27km south of Kupang. There are no waves, only clean sand, and a few small boats pulled up on the beach.

Oenesu Waterfall is about a one hours drive form Kupang over firstly tarred and then bumpy dirt road. This waterfall is very busy (crowded) on the weekends, but quiet on weekdays. Flowing out of a small stream, crystal clear water cascades down limestone outcrops. There are a number of deep pools to swim in and a good place to jump off into the main pool. This may not be safe (there are stories of people drowning) but daring people still take the plunge.

Sasando Musical Instruments.  Pak Y. A. Pah is a Sasando maker at Desa Oebelo. Just 22 km from Kupang on the road to Soe is his Sasando making factory. Pak Yah’s whole family is involved in their business. Father and son, Jack, play the sasando. His daughter and wife sing traditional ballads and dance. The young boys play the gongs and also dance to their music.

Sasandos are an instrument from Rote.  A single lontar leaf is used for the outside, and the inside is made from dried bamboo and wood. The 22 strings used to be made from cat’s gut, but these days have been replaced by steel strings. The strings are plucked and the music is unique and pleasant to listen to. 

If you were to visit the sasando factory you would receive a very warm welcome. The front area is set up with a few items for sale and display, with room for Pak Pah and family to play, dance and sing for you. To the side of this area is the workshop where sasandos are made by hand.

Questions and Activities

1. Write another story explaining how the Air Nona Spring began. 2. Draw a picture portraying the creation of the spring 3. Visit your local museum. 4. Have competitions carrying buckets (empty and full) on your head. 5. Draw a picture of a Sasando into your book and label the parts. 6. Obtain palm or coconut fronds and try and  create woven hats. Have competitions for the best, the weirdest and the funkiest. 7. Research  four traditional Indonesian instruments. Draw them and present the information in a poster. 8. When would you like to visit Oenesu Waterfall? Why? This waterfall is in the countryside, what effects do you think tourism may have on the local farmers? 9. Research a local traditional legend about a watercourse or source near you.

10.  Quiz:

a) What island does the sasando originate from?

b) How many strings has the sasando?

c) How do you play the sasando?

d) What does kolam mean?

e) Where is Toblolong situated?

f) What is a tilangga?

g) What leaf is used to make the outside of a sasando?

h) What does NTT stand for?

i) What does nona mean?

j) Where is the NTT Museum?