Ata Ngada | |
|---|---|
 Ngada men in a warrior costume with a spear, rifle, and shield, circa 1915–1918. | |
| Total population | |
| 155,000 (1975)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Indonesia (Ngada) | |
| Languages | |
| Ngada,Namut–Nginamanu, andIndonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Catholicism (majority),Islam,Protestantism, and traditional beliefs | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Manggarai • Nage • Riung |
TheNgada people (Ata Ngada; also known asNgadha,Nad'a,Nga'da,[2]Bajawa,[2][3] orRokka[2]) are an ethnic group inhabiting the central part ofFlores Island, especially inNgada Regency. The Ngada population numbers around 155,000 people. They belong to theBima–Sumba-speaking group.[1]
Ngada are descendants of the indigenous people of Flores Island. The coastal inhabitants are influenced by the culture of theMalays,Bimanese,Buginese, andMakassarese.[1] The majority of them adhere toRoman Catholicism,[4] while some mountain dwellers still maintain their traditional beliefs.[1]
Traditionally, they engage in agriculture, cultivating rice, corn, millet, and cash crops – beans, squash, peanuts, vegetables, and spices. Apart from that, their other livelihoods are hunting, gathering, and livestock farming. Weaving crafts are widespread, and some are involved in metalworking. Their main commodities are primarily plant-based foods, while meat is consumed during festive occasions.[1]
Their native language is theNgada language (incl. theNamut–Nginamanu dialect chain), which belongs to the largeAustronesian language family.[1][4] It is related to nearby languages spoken on Flores Island and its surroundings (incl.Nage–Kéo,Ende,Lio, andPalue, which are part of theCentral Flores language family), as well as theManggarai language.[4]There is a publication about Ngada language and culture.[5][6] In the 20th century, the missionary Paul Arndt conducted research in the region.[7]
They mostly reside in Ngada Regency. However, this area is also inhabited by other ethnic groups, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.[3] Specifically, the Ngada people are the indigenous inhabitants of the Bajawa region.[8] Nearby communities, such as the Riung,Rongga,Nage,Keo, and Palue, are sometimes considered sub-groups of the Ngada[2] or related population groups.[1][4] The publicationEncyclopedia of Ethnic Groups in Indonesia (2015) uses the term "Ngada" broadly, estimating their population at 155,000 based on 1975 data.[2]
The social structure of the Ngada people is based on amatrilineal family system, which sets them apart from some of their neighboring ethnic groups.[3][9][10]