Gallu Bakul

Sumba

At Gallu Bakul, 2.5km down the road from the modernising village of Kabonduk, is Sumba’s heaviest tomb, weighing in at 70 tonnes. At its eastern end is a separate upright slab with carvings of the buried raja and queen, buffalo and cockerel motifs. The raja’s son lives right by the tomb and can tell its story. He’ll also ask you to sign in and make a donation (20,000Rp to 50,000Rp).

It is said that 6000 workers took three years to chisel the Umbu Sawola tomb out of a hillside and drag it 3km to town. The tomb is a single piece of carved stone, about 6m long, 3.5m wide and nearly 1m thick.

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Nearby Sumba attractions

1. Kampung Pasunga

2.35 MILES

Right beside the main road to Waingapu, 22km east of Waikabubak, Kampung Pasunga boasts one of Sumba’s most impressive tombs. The most interesting grave…

2. Kampung Tambelar

10.33 MILES

Has very impressive tombs and stone graves, with rows of houses with thatched roofs. Leave a donation of 20,000Rp or 50,000Rp if there are a few of you.

3. Kampung Waigalli

10.63 MILES

Downhill from the riverside settlement of Taramanu, just after the sports field, you'll meet a good road that leads to a huddle of about 30 thatched, peak…

4. Kampung Prai Klembung

10.7 MILES

It’s only a short stroll from most hotels to Prai Klembung, a nearby village with hefty concrete-slab tombs in an overgrown but atmospheric setting…

5. Kampung Praigoli

10.77 MILES

Best known for its nearly 200-year-old Watu Kajiwa, the deeply traditional, sprawling village of Praigoli is notched in the dusty, leafy hills above Sumba…

6. Kampung Tarung

10.78 MILES

Tarung is home to five tribes, each with their own small, thatched shrine where only the local ratu (priest) is allowed to pray and commune with the…

7. Kampung Waitabar

10.79 MILES

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19.21 MILES

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