Sumba people
Tau Humba | |
|---|---|
Two men dancing with sword and shield, Sumba Island, 1930. | |
| Total population | |
| Approximately 656,000 (2008) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Indonesia (West Sumba Regency & East Sumba Regency, Sumba Island) | |
| Languages | |
| Bima-Sumba languages, Kambera language, Indonesian language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity: 64% (¾ Protestantism, ¼ Catholicism) (predominantly), Islam: 6%, Marapu religion: 30% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Savu people, Bimanese people, other Melanesians and Austronesian peoples |
The Sumba (or Sumbanese) people are an Austronesian ethnic group inhabiting Sumba Island in Indonesia, which is divided by four regencies, namely the Southwest Sumba Regency, West Sumba Regency, Central Sumba Regency, and the East Sumba Regency. They refer to themselves as Tau Humba. The Sumbese have been able to retain much of their culture despite foreign influences that arrived long ago on the Lesser Sunda Islands.