Human Anatomy and The Island of Blacksmiths

by Maharani Wahyu (Indonesia)

A leap into the unknown Indonesia

If Indonesia ever crossed your mind, what would be the first thing that comes to your mind? Perhaps it is Jakarta or Bali? As an archipelagic country, Indonesia holds thousands of beautiful tropical islands yet to be unfold and would be a great road-less-travelled journey for those who are hungry for adventure. One of these destinations is Wakatobi. Wakatobi is a series of islands located on the very edge of Southeast Sulawesi. Entitled as "World Marine Heritage", the beauty and richness of Wakatobi has started been known to foreign countries after the Wallacea Expedition from United Kingdom in 1995 which stated that the region in Southeast Sulawesi is rich in corals. Wakatobi consists of four main islands which is Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko. The first two letters of each island were combined, hence the name Wakatobi. The name itself was rather new. During the Dutch Colonial Era, it was named "Toekang Besi Eilanden". "Toekang Besi" or "Tukang Besi" means blacksmiths, therefore the name can be translated as the Island of Blacksmiths. This term actually only refers to Binongko, the most far-reach island in Wakatobi, where the blacksmiths originated. Yet, people usually refers it to the whole archipelago. The abundant blacksmiths in Binongko itself were due to the barren state of the island. Made up mostly of solid rocks, farming is nearly impossible in Binongko. Therefore, most of the people turns to fisheries and smithing, during the days when it was too dangerous to sail. The structure of the islands in Wakatobi likely resembled organs in a human body. This was first introduced by Abdurrahman Hamid, a historician. Binongko is the head. Physically, the head contains the hardest bone and a little meat, reflecting the rocky island. Binongko was also the first island to be discovered among the others. Tomia is the chest, while Kaledupa is the stomach. Both the island were considered "softer" as the soil is more fertile. Whereas Wangi-Wangi is the leg, being the central of economic activities and the one that connects Wakatobi to the outside world. The first time I landed in Matahora Airport in Wangi-Wangi island, I was greeted with the clear blue seas that surrounded Wangi-Wangi. Standing on the shore, you can already see the corals and colourful fishes swimming around happily. It is said that the Wakatobi National Park is the home for 750 coral species out of the total 850 coral species in the world. The depth configuration also varied, from flat to slope, drop-off, atoll and also underwater caves. The deepest part of its waters reaches 1044 meters. Wakatobi is indeed famous for its underwater charm, however if you visit Wakatobi and only went for its diving course alone, it can be likened to you just visiting a friend's yard. Suppose that Wakatobi is a friend's house, if you want to get closer to a friend, of course we don't just visit the yard, don't we? Deepen Wakatobi's charm by delving deeper into the culture and local wisdom of the people. You will not regret, you will fall in love. The friendliness of the people as well as the unique way of life that you rarely encounter in urban areas will become your own entertainment. The people of Wakatobi are so close to each other and also to the ecosystems that surrounds them. They protect the coastline and the sea waters. They are always aware to preserve the underwater environment. The sustainability of the Wakatobi coral reef that continues to be maintained is the result of the efforts of its citizens. During my stay here, I am very much amazed by the connectivity of its people. Even though they may come from different islands, yet they are all united as one. What still keeps me wonder is how the four islands complemented what the others lack. As much as its metaphor, these islands were very much "alive". Indeed, these islands were a human. Breathing the life of its people.