The mysterious culture of the local people here fascinates visitors. The ancient megalithic monuments and traditional architecture make incredible attractions for cultural tourists.
Visit Bawomatauo and see the remarkable lompat batu or stone jumping. Hold your breath in anticipation as villagers leap over stones up to two meters high. This art derives from an ancient form of war training where jumpers had to leap over a 1.8 meter tall stone wall often topped with pointed sticks. Today this is performed as a tourist attraction and the pointed sticks are no longer used.
Experience a traditional war dance in the village of Bawatomataluo and Hilisimae. Dancers are clad in traditional costumes with bright bird feathers on their heads.
There is a reason why surfers call Nias ‘paradise on earth’. Spectacular waves and sandy beaches make this a mecca for surfers from all over the world. Experienced surfers can do battle with the enormous breaks at Lagundri Beach. Surfing conditions are best from April to October.
Feel like an archeologist and investigate the pre-historic remains here which date back to the Stone Age. While little detail is known about the pre-history of Nias, the island is widely considered to be home to the oldest megalithic culture in Indonesia. Rumah adat – old stone carvings, can be found around the central part of the island. Some of these date back 3,000 years.
Off the coast of Nias lie the islands of Pilau Bawa and Pilau Aru. There is excellent surfing in Pilau Bawa which is accessible via a two hour ferry ride from Nias. To get to Pilau Aru you will need to charter a boat.
Wander around the villages of Nias and take a look at the unique architecture which has developed over centuries to resist frequent earthquake tremors. The houses are set on pillars which rest on stone blocks. These pillars are then re-enforced by slanting piles which creates a very strong three dimensional structure. Some people say the design of these ship-like wooden houses was inspired by Dutch spice ships. Look at the intricate symbolic wooden carvings which adorn each house. The village of Hilisimaetano in South Nias has more than 100 traditional houses.
In the central highlands the villages around Gomo have some of the island’s best examples of stone carvings. This area is difficult to access though and it might mean a slug through the jungle or hitchhiking with a local to get there.
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