Bena Traditional Village near Bajawa, Flores
Megalithic Shrines and Ngada Ancestral Architecture
Bena is the most well-known traditional village of the Ngada region in central Flores. Located about 13–16 kilometres south of Bajawa at the foot of Mount Inerie, it is one of the most significant examples of preserved Ngada architecture and ceremonial space.
The village consists of two parallel rows of high thatched houses built along a narrow ridge, overlooking the Savu Sea.
Village Structure and Clan Shrines
At the centre of Bena stand the paired clan shrines known as ngadhu and bhaga, representing male and female ancestral spirits.
The ngadhu is an umbrella-like wooden structure symbolising the male ancestor of a clan. It is carved from a single tree trunk and topped with a warrior figure.
The bhaga resembles a miniature house and represents the female ancestral line. Ritual offerings and clan ceremonies are performed here.
Each clan maintains its own shrine within the village’s central ceremonial courtyard.
Megalithic Traditions
Bena is also known for its megalithic stone structures. Large flat stones form altars and ceremonial platforms used for ritual gatherings and animal sacrifices.
A stacked stone formation called the lenggi traditionally served as a place where clan disputes were settled.
Water buffalo horns and pig jaws mounted on house facades testify to past ceremonies and reflect family prestige.
Weaving and Daily Life
Women continue to weave traditional ikat textiles on wooden looms placed on the verandas of the houses. Patterns often include animals, clan symbols, and representations of ngadhu and bhaga.
Although Bena is a well-visited village, it remains a living community rather than a museum.
Hiking and Surroundings
Bena can be combined with a hike to Gurusina and Tololela, following footpaths through bamboo forest and cultivated hillsides.
The village lies on the southern slopes of Mount Inerie and offers wide views toward the Savu Sea.
Practical Information
Bena is easily reached by road from Bajawa via the Trans-Flores Highway. Most visitors combine the visit with nearby hot springs or other Ngada villages.
