Galu Bakul Megalithic Tomb Site

Historical Origins and Periodization

Historically, the tradition of worshipping large stones or megaliths in Central Sumba, including Galu Bakul, is believed to have begun from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, but continued and was practiced until the 21st century. Galu Bakul itself is an ancient settlement (Paraingu) that served as a center of power and ritual for certain clans (Kabihu) in the Lamboya region.

The formation of this site began with the migration of ancestors seeking strategic areas for defense and traditional ceremonies. Galu Bakul was chosen for its elevated position, providing tactical advantages as well as spiritual proximity to the heavens. Periodically, the oldest tomb stones at this site are estimated to have existed hundreds of years ago, with new tombs continuously added by clan descendants until the modern era, making it a dynamic historical museum.

Megalithic Architecture and Construction Details

The main uniqueness of the Galu Bakul Tomb Site lies in its massive stone tomb architecture. The typology of tombs here is dominated by the Dolmen (stone table) form, locally called Reti. The tomb construction consists of giant flat stone slabs supported by four to six short stone pillars. Beneath these main slabs, the bodies of nobles were placed inside stone chambers.

A unique fact about the construction at Galu Bakul is the use of monolithic stones that can weigh tens of tons. The process of transporting these stones, known as the Tarik Batu ritual, involved hundreds to thousands of people pulling the stones from the excavation site for kilometers using ropes made from bark and tree trunks as wheels. Engraved details on the tomb walls display geometric motifs, animal symbols such as buffalo and horses, and human symbols representing the social status and spiritual power of the deceased during their lifetime.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Galu Bakul is not just a place for disposing of bodies, but a symbol of clan sovereignty. In the history of Central Sumba, this site often served as a meeting point for traditional leaders to resolve territorial disputes or plan major ceremonies. One historical event closely associated with this site is its role as a coordination center for the Pasola ritual in the Lamboya region.

The presence of large tombs in Galu Bakul signifies that this area was once an economic and political center. Only families with abundant wealth (measured by the number of livestock sacrificed) could afford to build megalithic tombs as large as those at Galu Bakul. Therefore, this site serves as authentic evidence of the social stratification of Sumba society in the past.

Important Figures and Clan Relations

This site is closely related to the lineage of the major clans in Lamboya. The names of the ancestors buried here are considered cultural heroes who brought customary law (Marapu). Although individual names from the early centuries are difficult to trace in writing, oral tradition (customary language) states that the leaders buried in Galu Bakul were those who succeeded in uniting various clan factions against external threats or famine. Each tomb in Galu Bakul has a legitimate "owner" from the male lineage who is responsible for its maintenance to this day.

Cultural Meaning and Marapu Beliefs

The existence of Galu Bakul cannot be separated from the indigenous religion of Sumba, which is Marapu. In Marapu cosmology, death is not an end, but a transition to the spirit world (Praing Marapu). The magnificent stone tombs function as "eternal homes" so that the spirits of ancestors feel comfortable and continue to bestow blessings upon their living descendants.

The burial rituals at Galu Bakul involve the slaughter of a large number of sacrificial animals, such as buffalo and pigs. The blood of these animals is considered to purify the land, while buffalo horns are often installed in front of traditional houses around the tombs as historical records of the ceremonies performed. This makes Galu Bakul a sacred center that maintains the balance between the real world and the spiritual world.

Conservation Status and Preservation Efforts

Currently, the Galu Bakul Megalithic Tomb Site is registered as an important cultural heritage site under the supervision of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. The local government of Central Sumba, along with the local indigenous community, strives to preserve the authenticity of the site from the impacts of weather and natural damage.

Restoration or repair of tombs is not done carelessly using modern cement, but must go through traditional ceremonies and use materials consistent with tradition. The biggest challenge in preserving Galu Bakul is the threat of theft of stone artifacts or erosion of engraved motifs due to moss and extreme weather. However, because this site is still "alive" and used by the community, social control from the villagers serves as the primary defense in maintaining the site's preservation.

Unique Historical Fact: Tombs as Calendars

One rarely known unique fact is that the layout of some tombs in Galu Bakul is believed to follow specific astronomical orientations. During certain seasons, the direction of the shadow cast by the tomb stones was used by traditional elders as a marker for the start of the planting season or the timing of specific traditional rituals. Furthermore, the texture of the stones used in Galu Bakul has a very high hardness, indicating that ancient Sumba people possessed deep knowledge of geology and stone carving techniques without modern metal tools initially.

In conclusion, the Galu Bakul Megalithic Tomb Site is a silent witness to the greatness of Nusantara civilization in the past. It is not just a pile of dead stones, but an open library that stores the cultural codes, physical resilience, and spiritual depth of the people of Central Sumba that remain preserved to this day.