Rote Ndao Regency, Island regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
Rote Ndao Regency is an island administrative region in East Nusa Tenggara that spreads across multiple islands, with Rote Island as its main landmass and several smaller islands including Usu, Ndana, Ndao, and others. The territory is connected by roads and features a significant port that handles maritime transport for the surrounding area.
The territory became independent from Kupang Regency in 2002 after local leaders and cultural representatives advocated for separate administration. This separation allowed the region to manage its own affairs and develop its local institutions.
The Rote people keep their traditions alive by crafting the Sasando, a musical instrument made from palm leaves that sounds during local festivals and ceremonies. This handmade skill remains central to how the community expresses itself and passes down knowledge to younger generations.
Ba'a Port serves as the main hub for maritime traffic and connects the islands to the broader region, while an extensive road network links the different communities together. Visitors should know that reaching certain islands depends on the season and sea conditions.
The region is the only home to the Rote Island snake-necked turtle, a species found nowhere else in the world. This remarkable creature lives only in the natural habitats of these islands.
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