The megalithic site of Tetegewo, historical heritage of Nias, to become a global tourist destination
The Governor of North Sumatra, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, is committed to the revitalization of the megalithic site of Tetegewo in the village of Hilisao’ötö, Siduaori district, South Nias Regency.
This revitalization aims to preserve the legacy of our ancestors’ civilization and to develop the area into a leading historical tourist destination on the Nias Islands.
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Bobby Nasution announced this intention during a visit to the megalithic site of Tetegewo with the French Ambassador, Fabien Penone. The site, which houses hundreds of stone artifacts thousands of years old, is considered to be of immense historical and cultural value to the indigenous people of Nias.
During the visit, Bobby Nasution and his entourage walked approximately 200 meters from the parking lot to the site. They followed a path upwards and listened to local residents who explained the history of Tetegewo as a legacy of their ancestors who once lived in the hilly area.
At the site, Bobby Nasution listened to stories about the megalithic stone formations, along with various engravings and artifacts characteristic of the civilization of the indigenous people of Nias. The stone formations are said to resemble the foundations of traditional houses on Nias, which still form an important part of the local cultural identity.
Despite its location on a hilltop with fairly steep terrain, the community hopes that the site will be preserved and receive government attention, particularly through regional development and infrastructure improvements.
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“Because this is an important historical heritage for the indigenous people of Nias, it must be preserved. And most importantly: how can we breathe new life into this site and other sites so that these stones remain intact?” he said.
According to Bobby Nasution, the provincial government of North Sumatra will undertake a comprehensive revitalization of the historical site, both physically and in terms of area management. This effort is also aimed at strengthening the promotion of Tetegewo as one of the most important tourist destinations on the Nias Islands.
“We want to develop Nias, and this historical heritage site is not only important because of its location. It is also about how these artifacts can contribute to the community through tourism. This is our shared responsibility, and we, the provincial government of North Sumatra, will carry out its revitalization,” stated Bobby Nasution.
Meanwhile, Hulu, a resident of South Nias, expressed his pride in Bobby Nasution’s attention to the development of the Nias Islands, including the preservation of historical sites located far from the city center.
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“If this place can be made even more beautiful, we would be very grateful for that. Moreover, we have heard that the governor has already visited Nias several times. This strengthens our hope that this historical heritage will attract more tourists,” said Hulu.
The arrival of Governor Bobby Nasution and his entourage was also enthusiastically received by the community. Hundreds of residents gathered at the Tetegewo megalithic site to greet them and capture the moment with group photos. ***REL
