Sumbawa

Sumbawa is an Indonesian island situated in the middle of the Lesser Sunda Islands chain, with Lombok to the west, Flores to the east, and Sumba to the southeast. Together with Lombok, it forms the province of West Nusa Tenggara, though the Indonesian government has considered—but currently shelved—plans to establish it as a separate province. The island has an area roughly three times that of Lombok, and its population was recorded at 1,561,461 in the 2020 Census, with an official mid-2024 estimate of 1,669,787. Traditionally, Sumbawa was known as a source of sappanwood, honey, and sandalwood, and its savanna-like climate and extensive grasslands support horse and cattle breeding as well as deer hunting. The island marks a cultural boundary: areas to the west were more influenced by religions and cultures spreading from India, including Hinduism and Islam, while the east was less affected. Notably, the name "Sumbawa" is used by outsiders for the whole island, but locals apply it only to the western half; the eastern half is called "Bima," reflecting deep divisions in geography, culture, and language. Historically, the 14th-century Nagarakretagama mentioned principalities on eastern Sumbawa, while western principalities were dependencies of the Majapahit Empire. The island’s natural resources attracted repeated invasions from Javanese, Balinese, Makassar, Dutch, and Japanese forces. The Dutch arrived in 1605 but did not establish effective rule until the early 20th century. The colossal 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora—the most powerful in recorded history—killed up to 71,000 people, caused global cooling known as the "Year Without a Summer," and destroyed the Tambora culture. Today, Islam is the dominant faith, introduced by Makassarese traders. The island has three major linguistic groups: the Sumbawa people in the west speak Basa Semawa, related to Lombok’s Sasak language; the Bima people in the east speak Nggahi Mbojo, closer to languages of Flores and Sumba; and the now-extinct Tambora language was unrelated to either. The two largest towns, Sumbawa Besar and Bima, remain cultural focal points. Due to limited work opportunities and frequent droughts, many residents seek labor in the Middle East, China, and Singapore.