Wuring Fishing Village - Maumere, Flores
Bugis and Bajo Stilt Houses on the Bay of Maumere
Wuring is a traditional fishing village located about four kilometres west of Maumere on the northern coast of Flores. The settlement is home to Bugis and Bajo communities who live in wooden stilt houses built over the shallow coastal waters of the Bay of Maumere.
With Mount Egon rising in the background, Wuring offers a striking combination of maritime life, vernacular architecture, and volcanic landscape.
The Village and Its People
Wuring was severely affected by the tsunami of 1992. While many residents relocated to nearby Nangahure, the village remains an important homeland for Bugis and Bajo families who continue their fishing traditions.
Unlike the large phinisi schooners associated with the Bugis of Sulawesi, boats built in Wuring are smaller working vessels used for local fishing. Daily life unfolds around the tides, nets, and wooden jetties that connect the houses.
Women from inland villages come to Wuring to trade agricultural produce for fresh or salted fish, which is sold in local markets across the Maumere area.
Photography and Atmosphere
Wuring is particularly atmospheric at sunrise and in the late afternoon, when boats return and soft light reflects off the water beneath the stilt houses.
The village is generally welcoming to visitors. As always, respectful behaviour and asking before close portraits is advisable.
Visiting Wuring
Wuring lies along the main coastal road west of Maumere and is easily reached by motorbike or car. The traditional market area is most active in the late afternoon and early evening.
Maumere, the largest town in Flores, offers accommodation, restaurants, and access to the Bay of Maumere’s dive sites.
