Pantai Nihiwatu's existence is based on a famous local legend.
Origins of the Marapu people
The people living in the districts of Rua and Lamboya, in West Sumba, believe that long ago, before mankind, some of the original Marapu that descended to earth eventually settled on the beach at Nihiwatu.
On their journey they brought with them Sirih Pinang and Beetle Nut, a potent mix that most Sumbanese still use on a daily basis. Upon arriving they realized that they had forgotten to bring along the mortar that they use for mashing the Sirih Pinang and Beetle Nut before mixing it with the lime powder that is needed to release the alkaloids from the Sirih bean.
The stone of Nghihi Watu
They decided to mix their concoction on a large boulder that was on the beach in front of the forest they settled in. Over time this boulder developed a cylindrical tube in it from the constant pounding of their pestle.
The stone became known as the Nghihi (mortar) Watu (stone) and it still stands in front of the forest where the Marapu are believed to have lived.
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Places near Pantai Nihiwatu
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- Sumba 50 miles away
- Komodo Island 83 miles away
- Flores 144 miles away
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- Mount Rinjani 221 miles away
- Lombok 221 miles away
- Medana Bay 243 miles away
- Senggigi 244 miles away
- Sire Beach 245 miles away
- The Gili Islands 248 miles away
- Candidasa 275 miles away
- Lembongan Island 279 miles away
- Sanur 292 miles away
- Tembok 292 miles away
- Ubud 295 miles away
- Bukit Peninsula 295 miles away
- Jimbaran 296 miles away
- Seminyak 298 miles away