A total of 25 doctoral students from Universitas Gadjah Mada representing three study programs—Environmental Science, Geography, and Population Studies—conducted the Sunda Kecil Expedition, one of which took place in Wae Rebo Village, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on July 2–3, 2025. This activity formed part of a field-based learning initiative designed to connect students with real-world practices of culturally and environmentally grounded village tourism management.
(Documentation of the Activity)
Wae Rebo is renowned as a traditional village located in a mountainous area that can only be reached after a three- to four-hour hike. The village’s main attraction lies in its seven conical traditional Manggarai houses known as Mbaru Niang, which encircle a sacred stone altar called Compang.
Upon arrival, participants were welcomed through a customary ceremony held in Mbaru Gendang as a gesture of respect to the ancestors. During this tradition, guests offer voluntary donations, which are later used to support cultural preservation and environmental conservation efforts in the village.
Wae Rebo stands as a living example of how tourism can directly benefit local communities. By harnessing their rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, villagers have developed various community-based economic activities such as homestay services, local product sales (coffee, woven fabrics, and handicrafts), and tour guiding. These initiatives have created new economic opportunities and strengthened community participation, fostering an inclusive and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
One of the participants, Willem A. B., a doctoral student in Environmental Science, stated:
“Wae Rebo is a culturally rich destination. Its community-based management allows residents to take ownership and maintain their environment. However, the community also needs training in modern tourism practices that still respect local cultural values.”
He further highlighted the importance of conserving biological resources, such as Wae Rebo’s locally grown coffee, which has now gained recognition in international markets.
(Documentation of the Activity)
The expedition also underscored the crucial role of education in sustaining tourism villages. Education on cultural preservation, environmental management, and sustainable tourism should be continuously instilled among residents—both through community-based training and integration into local elementary and secondary school curricula.
Head of the Environmental Science Doctoral Program at UGM, Prof. Eko Haryono, emphasized the importance of environmental education for the children of Wae Rebo:
“As a tourism village, community awareness of environmental protection must continue to grow—and education is the key to achieving that.”
Based on field observations and discussions, several recommendations emerged to support the future development of Wae Rebo Village. These include maintaining a balance between tourism development and cultural preservation to safeguard the village’s uniqueness; providing training in tourism management, digital promotion, and local product development to strengthen the community’s role as key actors in tourism; enhancing collaboration among local communities, universities, and government agencies, particularly the Manggarai Tourism Office, to create tangible programs in conservation, economic empowerment, and infrastructure development; and improving facilities such as trekking paths, homestays, sanitation, and transportation access to ensure visitors’ comfort and safety.
Through this activity, students not only gained valuable insights into tourism village management but also learned firsthand how the collective spirit of local communities can create harmony between cultural preservation and economic empowerment. The expedition also aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
(Documentation of the Activity)
Wae Rebo is more than just a beautiful place; it is a symbol of hope and resilience that exemplifies how, through solidarity, environmental awareness, and education, Indonesia’s traditional villages can serve as genuine models of sustainable development.
Author: Wahyu Ratnaningsih
Editor: Ulyn N