Gurusina Traditional Village near Bajawa, Flores
Ngada Clan Houses and Ceremonial Courtyard
Gurusina is a traditional Ngada village located south of Bajawa in the highlands of central Flores. Less visited than nearby Bena, it offers a quieter setting to observe Ngada architecture and clan structure.
The village is arranged around a wide central courtyard framed by thatched clan houses and ancestral shrines.
Village Structure and Clan System
Gurusina was founded in the early 20th century by families migrating from the surrounding highlands. Today the community consists of several clans, each maintaining its own ceremonial houses and shrines according to Ngada adat.
Each clan traditionally possesses:
- A sao pu’u (the “trunk” or origin house)
- A sao lobo (the “tip” or youngest house)
- A ngadhu (male ancestral shrine)
- A bhaga (female ancestral shrine)
In the centre of the village stand the ture lenggi, ancestral stone altars used in ceremonial contexts.
Fire and Reconstruction
In 2018, Gurusina was almost entirely destroyed by fire. Since then, the village has been gradually rebuilt using traditional forms and materials. The reconstruction reflects both continuity and adaptation within Ngada cultural life.
Agriculture and Daily Life
Most families depend on small-scale agriculture. Crops include corn, tubers, banana, coconut, coffee, cloves, candlenut, and cocoa.
Women continue to weave ikat textiles on wooden looms, an important expression of Ngada identity.
Hiking Connection
Gurusina can be reached by road from Bajawa, but many visitors combine it with a hike from Bena through bamboo forest and cultivated hillsides. The trail passes the village of Tololela and offers views toward the southern slopes of Mount Inerie.
Practical Information
There are no formal tourist facilities in Gurusina. Accommodation and services are available in Bajawa.
