My staying in Boti was too short, but their belief and practices gave a long impression on me ‘til today.
People said, Boti is the most unspoiled tribe in West Timor, I can’t confirm it yet since I didn’t visit the other villages. But considering how difficult to reach Boti, which is in the middle of the mountains, especially after the dusk as we did and how poor some road from Soe (the closest city district) to Boti, it can be understood how closed Boti from modern civilization and its running progress.
No electricity, limited usage of Indonesia language but endless hospitality made me feel easy yet homey. Started from the late evening as we arrived (about 9 pm when the area was totally dark), I was surprised that our coming was really expected and welcomed by. Linda, my tough trav-buddy had been there a night earlier and told them we were coming and made them waiting so long. Linda said, they would keep waiting if they know any visitor coming whatever the time. Actually we already brought our dinner, but the royal family of Boti had prepared some for us. Language was a real barrier. Only Pah, the young member of Royal Family, that knows enough Bahasa. He did translate for us and the king, Nama Benu (call Bapa Tua) and other elders that kept awake and friendly responded.
Boti is known to uphold the trust and confidence they called Halaika. They believe in the two authorities, Uis Neno ma (and) Uis Pah. Uis Pah as mother who manage, supervise, and maintain the life of the universe and its contents, including humans, while Uis Neno as father who is an authority beyond that will determine a person go to heaven or not based on deeds in the world. This belief drives real practices as I witnessed. They do well their own needs by self and by taking care the nature, as well as they do community gathering as a worship every the 9th day.
In daily life there is a division of tasks between the men and women. The man does gardening and hunting. Meanwhile, household affairs to the women. Although the division of roles is commonly found in the other systems/traditions, there is one thing that makes Boti quite different, they profess monogamy or only married one.
Here's some of life scenes of Boti that I saw, hope you enjoy them, too..
