Cecer Village

We spend the day getting to know what life on the island of Flores is like with a visit to Cecer Village, where the clan-based Manggarai speak their own dialect. Though their tribal population rose to a half million in the 20th century, their numbers have dwindled somewhat in recent years, and village elders are working hard to preserve their culture, which we’ll learn about during conversations with members of the community.
During our time in the village we'll also witness Caci dancing, a sport in which masked men wield whips in stylized combat that is meant to symbolize the unity of men and women in creation. Then, we watch villagers pounding homegrown coffee beans into powder and learn about their seasonal crops. As we talk with the locals, we'll enjoy a richer understanding of village life and Manggarai culture. We return to Labuan Bajo this afternoon.Read more