Roti and its people have been perhaps the most influential in the NTT. This small island is Indonesia’s southern most island, located 10 kilometres east of Timor. It is only a four hour ferry ride from Kupang.

Roti is a dry island with low rainfall. The Rotinese grow rice, corn, buffalos, goats and sheep. Traditionally Roti has been the centre of the lontar economy. People live primarily off the lontar palm.

Roti, like Sabu, quickly fell into Dutch hands because of its size. There was nowhere for people to hide. In Timor locals literally took to the hills to escape the white invaders. The 18 Rotinese kings wisely signed treaties with the Dutch. Dutch influence was strong in the areas of education and religion.

Mrs Tien Hawkes, who now lives in Darwin, is grand daughter of Raja  Messakh mentioned in ‘Glimpse of the Past on Rote’. She tells that after her grand father’s conversion to Christianity his subjects in the Thie kingdom were required to attend  church.

During the colonial period the Rotinese came to the forefront in the region’s economy and developing politics.  The Dutch Administration in Kupang encouraged the Rotinese and the Sabunese there to be a barrier between them and the indigenous Timorese. They took civil service and police positions. They were soon at the forefront of business, religious, pro-independence movements, education and social work in the region. Even today it seems that there is a disproportionate amount of Rotinese influence in the province.

Today Roti is very much like it was years ago. For all the influence of the Rotinese in the province, life on the island remains quite simple. The Indonesian government has put in a major road across the island (which is very bumpy), along with state schools.

Many people continue to live a subsistence lifestyle. For example when the tides are low some families search amongst the reeds and coral for fish and anenomes. The anenome are shelled and the gooey insides are collected. They are then cooked and eaten with rice. The children regularly catch Parrot fish about 12 -15 cm long, by feeling for them with their feet amongst reeds in shallow pools. These add much needed protein to the diet.

Tourism is just taking off on Roti. The area is unspoilt due to its isolation. In the island’s far west is the village of Nemberala. Here surfers brave the waves just off the reef. Accommodation is cheap and the food and beer is plentiful. The surrounding village has a romantic tropical setting.

Questions / activities

1. Find Rote on a map. How does it’s size compare with Timor and Flores? 2. How is it that the Rotinese have so much influence even today? 3. What is life like on Rote today for ordinary people?

Extra Activities, Comprehension, Discussion and Research Questions

1. Write a recipe for sea anenome.

2. Find URLs for Hotels/Losmens on Rote (keywords : Nemberala, Rote).

3. If your class is keen on surfing find a surfer who has been to Nemberala and get them to tell you about it. (Try contacting ‘Australian Christian Surfers’, they go to Indonesia regularly).

4. Plan an excursion to Rote. Use the Lonely Planet guide. If you are a teacher you can contact us through the Lets Go To Eastern Indonesia site. We’ll be happy to give you ideas.

5. If the Rotinese have such a powerful influence on all aspects of life in Kupang, why is it that they are not openly resented like the Chinese?

6. True/False Quiz:

a. Rote is 10km from Timor.

b. Rote is mainly tropical rain forest.

c. Rotinese farm sheep.

d. Due to its size Rote is easily defended.

e. Rotinese rulers rejected all aspects of Dutch culture.

f. Rotinese speak Indonesian.

g. Rote today is quite modern.