5-day-ethical-immersion-stay-living-with-the-mentawai-tribe

5 Day Ethical Immersion stay living with the Mentawai Tribe

04 Mei 2021       1009        Admin

What is this trip about?

Have you ever wanted to get off-grid? Experience an authentic immersive experience in Sumatra. Join us on a journey to the Mentawai Tribe, you will go off-grid and learn to live as they do. You will see their way of life and their culture, and get up close and personal with the Mentawai shaman who lives in the remote jungle of Siberut. Meet the Mentawai people in the heart of Jungle Siberut, One of our most unique offerings is living with a Mentawai family as part of your travel experience. Discover this mysterious person, share daily life, joining different families in their Uma (traditional house) through the forest ( by motor canoe and trek You will share their home, - it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn about their culture first-hand.

Trip Highlights

  • Type of the trip > Small group & private ( based on request )
  • Adventure route > siberut, Mentawai Island
  • Theme of the trip> Cultural immersion and nature
  • Comfort > 2/5 

Trip Summary

Day 1 Padang - Siberut

At 06:00 a.m. we will pick you up at the hotel Padang, and depart for Siberut Island with the Fast Ferry Arrive in North Siberut ( Pokkai ) and transit for 1 hour ( loading on/off goods and passager, during this stopover we will have lunch at the local restaurant. After Lunch continue to South Siberut with the same ferry. Arrival in South Siberut ( our destination ) proceed to travel straight to a government settlement village by Minivan or pick-up car, arrive at the government settlement village, load our stuff and logistics, and take the motor canoe upriver to the Rereiket Jungle area ( about 1,5 up to 2 hours canoe  )

Arrive at our trek point and trek to the Mentawai tribe family ( 3,5 km) from the bank river, arrive in the Mentawai traditional house, and meet and greet with the Mentawai family.

 

Day 2 until 4 Immersing & Staying with the Mentawai tribe family

During these days we will explore the jungle area, and experience the jungle life of the Mentawai people.

  • Join or participate with the family for food preparation, and any other activities in our presence
  • During our stay, we will experience living traditionally like the Mentawai community
  • During our stay with the family, you can ask them anything you would like to know about their way of living, culture, and traditions that they open want to talk it and answer your question
  • During our stay with the Mentawai family, you will learn jungle life skills/survival as the Mentawai do such as:

·       Learning to make a hut in the jungle in the Mentawai style

·       Learn how to weave a basket, tray, or bag from Ratan or leaves that the Mentawai people usually use to support their daily life in the jungle.

·       Making poison for bow and arrow

    Note: This experience will stretch your comfort zone, it does not always feature the itinerary or there is no fixed itinerary in this trip, but deep dive deeper into local life and culture. sometimes if we are lucky we can attend/witness some Shamanic rituals ( we will keep updated the information about rituals)


    Day 5 Siberut - Padang 

    �       After breakfast, farewell to the family 

    �       Trekking back to the bank river 

    �       Straight down the river with motor canoe and back to our transit village

    �       Drive back to Mailepet port 

    �       Lunch will be provided in the local restaurant at the harbor

    �       14:40 leaving Siberut to Padang city

    �       Back to Padang (estimated time of arrival 18:30 ) Tour End

     

    The Public ferry schedule from Padang City - Siberut, Mentawai

    The Public ferry from Padang to Siberut only operates 3 times a week in every Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday departing time from Padang at 07:00 a.m and leaving from Siberut to Padang at 14:45.


    Practical Information and Terms & Conditions 


    During these days we will explore the jungle area, and experience the jungle life of the Mentawai people.

    Join or participate with the family for food preparation, gathering, and any other activities in our presence

    During our stay, we will experience living traditionally like the Mentawai community

    During our stay with the family, you can ask them anything you would like to know about their way of living, culture, and traditions that they open want to talk it and answer your question

    1. You have to accept living in the same conditions as the local community in the remote village, sleeping in a very rudimentary comfort style on the floor with a mat (floor mat) with mosquito net this applies nights in the Mentawai jungle.
    2. Given the conditions of poverty and isolated areas, families that accept us to live and spend time with them, conditions of comfort and cleanliness are more than basic but far from being guaranteed for "Western standards". In this case, it is very important and necessary to be able to tolerate this short inconvenience, to be able to enjoy your full stay and overall experience.
    3. Because Mentawai traditional communities live in remote areas in the jungle forest, access to these communities is not simple and easy, so the conditions of a trek include quite a lot of muddy terrain, slippery and uneven ground (sometimes you have to walk on the log on the muddy ground that Mentawai make and use it as a bridge to access further route).
    4. Please bear in mind there is no electricity in the Mentawai jungle, charge your camera and phone, and bring an extra battery.

    5. The conditions in this trip, during which these stays are carried out sometimes felt like "pain" and required Ask for more infoAsk for more info participant to have: 

      1).       Good mental preparation 

      2).       Great adaptability

      To be well informed before departure about the culture and ways of life in Mentawai and the jungle. ( the guide will give a little briefing and explain this before we start our 
    6. Because the Sumatra area is covered with rainforest and located right on the equator, it has a tropical climate, the weather is hot and humid all year round. The driest season normally starts from May to early September, although there are sporadic rains that may occur during this period. Rains are abundant between November and January. The average temperature is 27 - 33 C degrees in Siberut Island. Be ready for hot, humid, and hasty conditions.


    Good things to know during our immersion stay

    1. Be mentally prepared to rough it out, as many tribes do not have the basic comforts of what Western standards used to.
    2. Give yourself time to connect with them during your stay.
    3. Be your true self while visiting, show your interest in them, and learn from them.
    4. Be present throughout the experience, they expect you to enjoy your time with them.
    5. Please avoid wearing expensive stuff or accessories like watches, necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, so as not to attract the attention of the tribe, they may be tempting and ask you to give to them, so this could be counterproductive and may even harm your relationships with the community.
    6. Ask for their permission before taking pictures.


                Consider spending a few days living with them for an authentic experience

                • DO NOT assume the tribes understand your lifestyle.
                • DO NOT inflict your lifestyle and comforts on them.
                • DO NOT Try to make them fit into the outside society (avoid influencing them to any perspective, ideology, and other daily comforts that are essential to us).
                • DO NOT be judgemental, every tribe has its customs, so be a good observer.


                Our Commitment


                1. Promoting good practice to spread the idea of being responsible for traveling Working with expert local guides and partners to achieve sustainable goals and practices.
                2. Bringing benefits to local communities when it comes to boosting their economic and social standard, teaching them about the tourism industry, as well as helping local children with ongoing education.
                3. Preserving culture and nature through eco-tourism responsible travel.


                Things to carry


                • Small Backpack.
                • Trekking pants, T-shirt, shorts.
                • Trekking shoes (we would recommend rubber trekking boots).
                • Dry bag (to protect your electronic devices, phone, camera, or document).
                • Rain clothes/poncho.
                • Personal utilities.
                • Mosquito spray.
                • Toilet paper.
                • Torch, Suncream & Hat, Socks, Sandals, water shoes.
                • Water bottle.
                • First Aid and all medications that you usually take.


                Ask more info



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