The Village of Lewoloba

Lewolobanese Dancers

Lewoloba is a small village that is located near Larantuka City. According to the census (2014), there are 1430 people live in Lewoloba. Lewolobas administration is under the Subdistric of Ile Mandiri, The Regency of East Flores, and The Province of East Nusa Tenggara. It is the eastern portal to Baipito, other name for the people of Ile Mandiri that dwell in eight villages around the Mountain of Ile Mandiri.

The History of Lewoloba

The history of Lewoloba can be traced back to its ancestors, Lia Nurat and Hadung Boleng. They are an ancient spouse whose generations inhabit the area of Baipito. The have 7 children: 5 sons and 2 daughters. They are:

1. Belawa Burak: Inhabits the village of Lewoloba.

2. Kweluk: Inhabits the village of Wailolong.

3. Kwaka: Inhabits the village of Lewohala.

4. Bang Powa: Inhabits the village of Mudakaputu.

5. Mado Liko Wutun: Inhabits the village of Watowiti.

6. Bliti Hingi: Inhabits the village of Bui Baja Wua.

7. Ehen Peni: Inhabits the village of Ebak.

Belawa Burak is the forefather of Lewoloba. He married Nini Daja. Their 7th generation is Kebu Doa who later married to Buku Niron and gave birth to 3 sons, i.e.: 

1. Toka Nara: Melahurint.

2. Wolo Sina: Amakelen.

3. Sina Purin: Amakoten.

From the three forefathers, three families are born and inhabit the village of Lemuda. The descents of the three forefathers are headed by Suban Regi Ama. He was assisted by Ua Bala Ama and Biti Boso Ama to build and establish the Lewo (=village) of Suban Tupi Wato Dowo Deka Homo. Then, they became the head of the Lewo, the head of the Adat (traditional role), and the Tuan Tanah (the owner of the land).

In Suban Tupi Wato Dowo Deka Homo, two families were come and united to the new Lewo. They are Lewo Doren and Lewo Nuhan. Some years later, the leaders of the Lewo considered that it was better for them to migrate to a new area. They chose Wulu Heri Tanah Bala Gopak as their new area to build a new Lewo. It was also called Lewoloba.

The name of Lewoloba began when the leaders of the Lewo and its people held a traditional ceremony to determine a new name for Wulu Heri Tanah Bala Gopak. As usual, serving the Sirih (betel vine) and the Pinang (areca nut) was an integrated part of the ceremony that must be held. After having some Sirih and Pinang, leaders of the Lewo got a limp at the hinge of their hands and feet. At the moment, the leaders chose Loba (=limp) as the name for the new Lewo. So, the complete name of the new Lewo is Lewoloba.

After the name of Lewoloba was established, Adats leaders submitted the name to the Dutch Government as the legal government that control over the area. The Dutch Government agreed and legalized the name, and since that moment Lewoloba was used as the official name until now.

The following names are the leaders of Lewoloba:

1. Bala Suban Koten (1915-1929).

2. Lukas Laba Kelen (1929-1934).

3. Ferdinandus Beki Hurint (1934-1966).

4. W. Dominikus Hurint (1966 - 5 months)

5. Theodorus Toka Hurint (1966-1972). 

6. Paulus Belawa Koten (1972-1975).

(Karetaker) Paulus Pati Koten (1975 - 5 months)

7. Paulus Uja Hurint (1975-1978).

8. Yohanes Helun Hurint (1978-1993): During his leadership, a huge flood hit Larantuka and its surrounding areas, including Lewoloba. It resulted to the migration of Lewolobas people to a new area. The name of Lewoloba was still used. Sir Yohanes Helun Hurint leaded the village until 1993.

9. Stefanus Raja Koten (1993-2002).

10. Raymundus Doke Doren (2002-2007).

11. Yohanes Lewa Doren (2007-2013).

12. Fransiskus Roy Hurint (2013- until now).