International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 81

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
Figure 2. Maternal and neonatal deaths and ‘other causes’. (BPS NTT, 2013, pp. 152-155)
Year

Maternal Neonatal Proportion of ‘other’ causes
Deaths
Deaths

2012 25

93

(15/93)=16.13%

2011 23

58

(27/58)=46.55%

2010 46

75

(26/75)=34.67%

Amidst dire health conditions, clear and detailed information about the health conditions in
the most difficult and remote areas becomes increasingly important. This study intends to
shed light on the concerning information gaps relating to ‘other causes’. Shedding light on
these unknowns is crucial in providing a clear understanding of the root causes of maternal
and neonatal health thereby illuminating a direction or path and the measures needed to
address these concerns.
The high number of maternal and neonatal deaths as seen in TTS in 2012, may be
linked to a number of complex conditions and factors. This paper explores a number of
environmental health factors as well as the social-cultural context of these villages.
The ume kbubu
This study of the environmental health of village communities in TTS would not be complete
without a clear understanding of the role of the ume kbubu. An examination of the role of
the ume kbubu as a resting place for mothers and their newborn babies is especially
relevant to maternal and neonatal health conditions.
The ume kbubu remains an iconic representation of the traditional culture of the
Dawan people of Central Timor. According to Situmeang (2013), the ume kbubu is used as “a
round kitchen” (Situmeang, 2013). The bee-hive shaped huts are commonly found adjacent
to village households of TTS. Some of the villages further away from the core (Soe city) still
use the ume kbubu as resting places for mothers and newborn babies through the process
of warming or panggang ‘roast’ through the fire and insulation within the ume kbubu.
However, this tradition is becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Environmental health and the process of panggang in the ume kbubu are largely
passed on through spoken word from generation to generation. In terms of environmental
health conditions – the dust, ash, smoke and extreme heat are potential environmental
health threats. Also there have been reported cases where flames have caused the bed to
catch fire (Mr. Mella 2013 pers. Comm). These risks are conferred by the multifunctional
nature of the ume kbubu as a resting place, granary and kitchen. As a kitchen and store
room for food, the ume kbubu is more closely associated with the traditional gender role of
women. The ume kbubu has traditionally been a place of rest for mothers during childbirth.

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