Behind the Scenes
This project would not be possible without the Sumbanese. They have lovingly opened their homes and kindly shared their traditions and their stories with us. In a culture that has no written language, the spoken word is inherent to keeping the history of Sumba known to future generations. It is to them we owe the utmost thanks.
We must also acknowledge those who provided our initial reference material. Tracey Kisoon and John Carrie published a document in 1991 (The Sumba Book) that has helped introduce many to the complexities of the Sumba from which we were able to expand on their information by speaking with and learning from many in West Sumba..
Kenny Knickerbocker – Creator
First visiting Sumba in July of 2013, I was immediately enraptured by the island and its people. I was fortunate to be coming for a job interview and site inspection at Nihi (at the time Nihiwatu). The airport had no running water, and electricity was supplied by a generator that was usually powered on only when an aircraft was approaching for landing or preparing to take off. I had been in the hospitality industry for 6 years by then, spending time in the Caribbean, Singapore and Malaysia. Sumba was like another world.
Sumba Style was conceptualized in 2015. Originally the idea was to create a place where information about Sumba could be gathered in one placed and shared among a community of like-minded individuals with the idea of promoting the culture of Sumba as well as preserving it.