In Indonesia, the rice fields are more than a source of food. With rice as the country’s staple food, the landscape of rice paddies is a testament to the patient effort and long-standing traditions that built the local and national community for centuries. As a result, from planting to harvesting, rice cultivation is not a simple agricultural activity.
Beyond shaping the nation’s diet, they also support tourism opportunities. The combination of wide green views and vast, open blue skies creates a sense of relaxation that many seek to escape their hectic, busy lives. Be it from the agricultural or tourism sector, one thing remains true: these fields continue to sustain millions of livelihoods.
What is the meaning of rice fields?
Rice fields are areas of land used to grow rice. It is usually flat and wet with shallow water, because rice plants grow best in these conditions. Surrounding these fields are earth or stone embankments that act as footpaths, hold irrigation water, and help divide the large area into manageable sections.
Rice fields are grouped by the natural conditions of each region. In flat lowland areas such as Java and Bali, farmers use irrigated paddies known as sawah irigasi. In wetter parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, farmers grow rice in swampy plots called sawah rawa. Meanwhile, in hilly regions, such as Bali, West Sumatra, and Flores, farmers build stepped terraces known as sawah terasering.
The different ways of calling rice fields
Generally, Indonesian people refer to these paddies as sawah. However, some ethnic groups in the nation call them differently. In Aceh, people know them as blang. Among the Bugis and Makassar communities of South Sulawesi, they call them galung. Not to be left out, the locals in Manggarai, Flores, also have their own term. There, they refer to rice fields as lingko.
In West Manggarai, travellers often hear lingko and lodok when locals speak about their distinctive communal plots. These are the traditional land systems of the Manggarai people of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara. First, let’s talk about lingko. A Manggarai clan (wa’u) collectively owns lingko. It has a circular shape resembling a spider-web layout when seen from above, hence the famous name “spiderweb rice field”.
At the centre of Lingko is lodok. The lodok is the central point and division system in lingko. A wooden pole or stone usually marks it. It marks the starting point of the paddy division. In essence, lingko is the land, while lodok is the division system. Together, they reflect the way Manggarai people view rice fields, that is, as a living inheritance that connects the community.
The workings of Lingko Lodok
In Manggarai, Flores, farmers do not arrange rice plots in straight lines like farmland in other regions. Instead, they follow a traditional system called lingko, with the lodok as the centre of land distribution. This way of managing has been ongoing for centuries. In this system, the land is shared by the people of Manggarai based on adat law.
This tradition indicates the belief of the Manggarai society in togetherness. The rule regarding the provision of rice fields to meet food needs proves this. The community distributes the communal land evenly to ensure the rights of all residents. For the adherence to this value, the Manggarai people practise certain traditions, such as:
Deciding the lingko
The clan (wa’u) will decide on the lingko. They select it based on soil quality, water availability, and ancestral agreement. The tu’a golo, the oldest person in the clan, oversees this step. In fact, they also conduct rituals, as well as prayers, before they formally recognise the rice fields as a lingko.
Setting the lodok and dividing the land
Then, they locate the lodok. From there, they divide the rice land into a segmented area that radiates from a centre, like a spider web. The divisions are for members of a family or clan, depending on genealogical ties and social status, as well as certain traditions.
Where are rice fields mainly found?
Rice fields are mainly found in Indonesia. Truth is, you can find them globally. However, most of them are in tropical and subtropical regions like Asian countries. This is because most Asian countries offer the perfect combination of warm, humid temperatures, ample water resources, and nutrient-rich soils ideal for growing rice.
Among Indonesia’s many islands, Flores Island stands out. In West Manggarai specifically, the lingko lodok is worth the attention of visitors from all over the globe. Those flying over in a plane can see the spiderweb paddies by looking through the window. What is even more special is that you can only see lingko lodok in three out of nine regencies on Flores Island. They are:
- Lingko Lodok Cancar: The most famous lingko is located in Cancar village.
- Lingko Meler: More local lingko for a relaxing and less touristy experience.
- Sawah Lembor: Another name is “the rice barn of Flores”. Offers a different experience from lingko, as this is a modern irrigated rice field.
- Lingko Todo: Situated near the traditional Todo village, where the first Manggarai kingdom was established.
Walk through Flores’ rice fields with Christoper Komodo Tour!
Passing through endless rice fields under the open sky is the ultimate travel dream, and it should be yours too! The landscapes feel calm yet alive, with a green view pleasing to the eye. Moreover, these terraces are not only there for the sake of attraction. They shape the communities.
In the western part of Manggarai, Flores, the rice fields tell a story of the people and the land. Local farmers tend the land with skilled hands and labour to pass it to generations to come. With Christoper Komodo Tour, you won’t just pass these landscapes; you will understand them. Book your trip now and let us guide you to an authentic experience!