Mount Lakaan
| Mount Lakaan | |
|---|---|
| Gunung Lakaan | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,600 m (5,200 ft) [1][2] |
| Coordinates | 9°6′24″S 125°3′41″E / 9.10667°S 125.06139°ECoordinates: 9°6′24″S 125°3′41″E / 9.10667°S 125.06139°E Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. [1] |
| Geography | |
| Location | South Lamaknen District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia |
Mount Lakaan (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a mountain located in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on the island of Timor.[1][2] With an elevation of approximately 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level, it is one of the highest mountains on the island of Timor and the second-highest in West Timor after Mount Mutis.[3] The mountain is situated in South Lamaknen District (Kecamatan Lamaknen Selatan), approximately 28 km from the town of Atambua.[2]
Mount Lakaan is known for its religious significance, with two large statues—a statue of the Virgin Mary and a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—standing at the summit.[3][1] The mountain is also the site of a traditional legend regarding the origin of the Timorese people.[4]
Geography
Mount Lakaan is located in South Lamaknen District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, in the western part of the island of Timor.[2] The mountain rises to an elevation of approximately 1,600 metres (5,249 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest peaks on Timor and the second-highest in West Timor after Mount Mutis (2,427 m).[3]
The mountain is approximately 28 km from Atambua, the capital of Belu Regency.[2] The mountain is situated between the villages of Maudemu and Dirun in Belu Regency.[1] To the east of Mount Lakaan lies the flat, expansive savanna of Fulan Fehan, a large grassland area at the foot of the mountain.[2]
Geology
Mount Lakaan is a highland area consisting of several peaks, including Bukit Fulan (1,131 m), Bukit Kotamutin, and Bukit Dualasi. The mountain is part of the Mutis Complex formation, composed of metamorphic rocks such as slate, phyllite, schist, amphibolite, quartzite, and granulite. Bukit Fulan is composed of coral limestone, while Bukit Kotamutin is composed of ultrabasic rocks including basalt, lherzolite, and serpentinite.[1]
Ecology
The slopes of Mount Lakaan are covered with tropical savanna and dry forest, typical of the Timor region. The savanna of Fulan Fehan, located at the eastern foot of the mountain, is a large, flat grassland area.[2] The mountain's vegetation includes grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees adapted to the region's dry climate.
Culture and religion
Mount Lakaan holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for the local community, particularly the Tetum people.[4] According to local tradition, Mount Lakaan was the first land to emerge when the world was still covered by water, and it is believed to be the origin of the first humans on Timor.[4][1]
The Tetum people tell the legend of Laka Lorak Mesak, a mystical princess who descended from the heavens and lived alone on the summit of Mount Lakaan.[4] She miraculously gave birth to four children—two sons and two daughters—without a known father. These children are said to have spread across Timor, establishing the early communities that would later become local kingdoms such as Naetenu and Fehalaran, and even reaching into what is now Timor-Leste.[4] The mountain is still regarded as a sacred place, with some believing it can "speak" through natural signs interpreted as messages from the ancestors.[4]
Religious statues
One of the most distinctive features of Mount Lakaan is the presence of two large religious statues at the summit: a statue of the Virgin Mary (Bunda Maria) and a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Hati Kudus Yesus).[3][1] The statue of the Virgin Mary faces towards Atambua, while the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus faces towards the sunrise.[3][1] These statues make the mountain a popular destination for Catholic pilgrims and a site for spiritual reflection and prayer.[3]
Recreation
Mount Lakaan is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Fulan Fehan savanna.[3][1] The climb is considered moderately challenging, with steep, winding trails through dense forest.[3]
Hiking
The hike to the summit typically starts from the village of Maudemu or through Weklekat and Haliren in Lakanmau Village, Lasiolat District.[2] The trail is considered suitable for beginner hikers and offers scenic views along the way.[2] The hike takes approximately 2–3 hours to reach the summit, depending on fitness levels.[2]
At approximately 100 metres below the summit, hikers encounter the two religious statues standing among the trees, which have become a distinctive feature of the mountain.[3] The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Fulan Fehan savanna and the broader Timor countryside.[3]
Historical sites
Near Mount Lakaan, there is a historical fortress known as Benteng Makes, which consists of seven layers of thick stone walls.[1] The fortress was built to protect local residents from enemy attacks during the colonial era. Inside the fortress, there is a traditional meeting place called Ksadan, as well as graves of local kings or heroes and two old cannons from the Japanese colonial period.[1]
See also
- List of mountains in Indonesia
- West Timor
- Mount Mutis
- Belu Regency
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Lepas Penat di Puncak Gunung Lakaan". RRI.co.id (in Bahasa Indonesia). 22 July 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 "Menikmati Keindahan Alam dari Puncak Gunung Lakaan". Batas Timor (in Bahasa Indonesia). 3 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 "Gunung Lakaan Pulau Timor NTT, Tawarkan Pemandangan Menakjubkan di Setiap Jalur Pendakian". Tribun Travel (in Bahasa Indonesia). 10 February 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Asal Usul Manusia Timor: Rahasia Mistis Gunung Lakaan". Media Kupang (in Bahasa Indonesia). 12 June 2025. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2026. Unknown parameter
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