Deep within the dense rainforests of Siberut Island, part of the Mentawai Islands off the coast of West Sumatra, Indonesia, lives one of the world’s most fascinating indigenous communities—the Mentawai Tribe. Known for their unique traditions, deep spiritual connection with nature, and distinctive body art, the Mentawai people offer an unforgettable cultural experience for those willing to venture into their remote world.

A Glimpse into Mentawai Culture

The Mentawai people are one of Indonesia’s oldest indigenous groups, believed to have migrated to Siberut Island over 4,000 years ago. They have maintained a way of life that is deeply rooted in animism, where every object—living or non-living—is thought to have a spirit. This belief system influences their daily lives, from hunting and agriculture to their elaborate rituals.

One of the most recognizable aspects of the Mentawai is their tattoos, which are among the oldest known tattooing traditions in the world. These intricate designs symbolize a person’s connection to nature, life milestones, and spiritual beliefs.

A challenging trek through the jungle into the heart of the Siberut Island to meet the indigenous people of the Mentawai and experience the daily life of Mentawai such as making loin clothes, making tatoo, fishing, hunting etc

Traditional Way of Life

The Mentawai live in Uma, large communal wooden houses raised on stilts. Their diet consists mainly of sago (a staple starch), fish, wild boar, and fruits gathered from the forest. Hunting with traditional bows and arrows, they rely on their deep knowledge of the jungle for survival.

Men typically wear loincloths made from tree bark, while women wear skirts crafted from palm fiber. Their shamans, or Sikerei, play a vital role in healing and performing spiritual ceremonies, often adorned with headdresses and leaves as part of their rituals.

Experiencing the Mentawai Way of Life

For travelers seeking an immersive cultural experience, visiting the Mentawai tribe is like stepping into another world. To reach the tribe, one must first travel to Padang, Sumatra, and take a ferry to Siberut Island. From there, a journey through the jungle—often on a traditional canoe—leads to the Mentawai settlements.

During a stay with the Mentawai, visitors can:

  • Learn about traditional tattooing techniques and their meanings.
  • Join a jungle expedition to understand hunting and survival skills.
  • Participate in rituals led by the Sikerei.
  • Experience daily life, from cooking to making traditional handicrafts.

Siberut Island

Becomes part of Mentawai Islands, Siberut is the largest island at the northernmost and becomes the main important island for Mentawai People. The Mentawai tribe still maintains the lifestyle and traditions passed down from their ancestors from thousands of years ago.

They live in houses locally called ‘uma’, made from wooden scaffolds which house contains several families each.

Siberut is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 100 km off the west coast of West Sumatra, and separated from the main island by the Mentawai Strait. The island lies some 155 km from the province’s capital city of Padang.

Those who love nature and craving for beautiful scenery, Pulau Siberut invites the adventure thirsty to come and explore all the wealth it possesses, including the rich culture, customs, and exotic tropical environment.

Exploring Siberut can be done by trekking in the protected tropical forests and this very much recommended, while, enjoying the scenery around the island, that is another interesting adventure to be had.

Other activities during staying in Siberut is boating, rowing, trekking through the (sometimes muddy) forest paths, enjoying the beauty of the rainforest, as well as observations of the rare species of both plants and animals.

The Siberut National Park is home to four types of wildlife primates found only in Siberut, they are Bokkoi (Macaca pagensis), Lutung Mentawai / Joja (Presbytis Potenziani Siberug), Bilou (Hylobates klossii), and Simakobu (Nasalis siberu concolor) .

In addition to these endemic primates, there are also 4 different types of endemic squirrel species, 17 mammals, and 130 species of birds (4 of which are endemic).