Ono Niha | |
|---|---|
 A photograph of people from Nias island dancing to Moyo, traditional dance from Nias, 2017 | |
| Total population | |
| 1,041,925 (2010 census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (Nias Island) | |
| Languages | |
| Native Nias Also Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity 94,99% (Protestantism 85%, Roman Catholicism 9.99%), Sunni Islam 5%, Animism 0.01% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Batak people, Mentawai |
Nias people are an ethnic group native to Nias, an island off the west coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. In the Nias language, the Nias people are known as Ono Niha, which means 'descendants of humans'.[2] Nias island is known as Tanö Niha, with Tanö meaning 'land' in the Nias language.
The Nias people are a community that continues living within the norms and practices of their indigenous culture. The customary law of the Nias people is generally referred to as fondrakö, which regulates all aspects of life from birth to death.[3] Historical evidence of megalithic structures and stone carvings that are found in the interior of the island proved that ancient Nias people practiced megalith culture. The caste system is also recognized in Nias society,[4] whereby the highest level out of the 12 levels in the Nias caste system is Balugu.[5] To reach this level of caste, one must be able to carry out big festivals by inviting thousands of people and slaughtering thousands of pigs for several days.
- ^ "Kewarganegaraan, Suku Bangsa, Agama, Dan Bahasa Sehari-Hari Penduduk Indonesia". Badan Pusat Statistik. 2010. Archived from the original on 2017-07-10. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
- ^ Gall, Timothy L.; Hobby, Jeneen, eds. (2009), "Niasans", Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, vol. 4 (2 ed.), Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, p. 738, ISBN 978-1-4144-4892-3, OCLC 388481759
- ^ Suhadi Hadiwinoto 2008.
- ^ Österreichische Leo-Gesellschaft, Görres-Gesellschaft, Anthropos Institute (1984). Anthropos, Volume 79. Zaunrith'sche Buch-, Kunst- und Steindruckerei.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Native People of Nias Island". Pleasure Surf Camp. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 2016-12-14.