A GREAT BOND BETWEEN GERMANY AND NIAS

When walking along Nias regions during big feasts especially in Christmas and Easter celebration, we will find the domination color of black, red and yellow in banners put outside and inside of churches which reflects the German flag color. And even in Nias culture itself, most of colors used are the three mentioned above.  For instance, the color of Nias traditional clothing combined with black, yellow and red. It shows how German influences Nias both in religion and in culture. This German influence has become a sign that there is a great bond between Germany and Nias people.

Nias, A small island, 130 km long and 45 km wide, Nias lying just 125 km off Sumatra's west coast, administratively belonged to the North Sumatra, province. Like any other western island off Sumatra, Nias stands quite apart. Its rugged terrain, malarial climate and warlike population having served to isolate from the mainstream of Sumatran culture for many centuries. As a result, Nias never experienced the dramatic influx of Indian, Islam and European cultural influences to the degree these were felt in other areas. The islands's inhabitants have instead followed their own line of development, building on an earlier Austronesian sub-strata of culture which they hold in common with other Indonesian peoples.

Today is best known for its spectacular tribal art and architecture, a uniqye style that has fascinated generations of scholars and collectors. Not much is known about the island's prehistory which is a pity, since the inhabitants have been working in durable stone and bronze for a very long time.

Indigenous oral histories agree on one point, that Nias culture -originated in the Gomo River area in the central part of the island. Here the gods descended and begat the human race, and the Nias People today refer themselves as ono niha or 'children of the people.

Early attempts were made in the 1830s to Christianize the island, with little suc­cess. But the arrival in 1865 of German Rhenish missionaries from Barmen marked the beginning of a major change in Nias society. Within a few years the entire north­em part of the island had been converted. Central and South Nias later succumbed not to the Bible but to brutal policing. Beginning of 1909, religious art was destroyed or confis­cated. in large quantities in South Nias.

The first arrival of German Rhenish Missionaries from Barmen from Germany was the beginning of the German approach and influence in the social life of Nias. The BNKP (Nias church) annually commemorates the date of the arrival of the first missionary of the RM, Ludwig Ernst Denninger in 1865 which is called as "Father of Nias Mission".

Some of Germans and Nias who worked in an German NGO after earthquake

This German mission explains us why black, yellow and red colors fuse in Nias religion, culture and its social life. The cooperation and bond is still maintained until now on, especially in the church mission in Nias. Many priests are sent to Germany to continue their study in theology and also many students and missionaries from Germany come to Nias every year. It also appeared as the earthquake hit Nias last March 2005, many German NGOs and German church organizations come to Nias in giving supports for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and livelihood. This great bond has last for hundred years and won't change forever.