Sumba

Sumba lies south of Flores across the Savu Sea. Its dry hills and grasslands supported horses, while the island's communities were organised under local nobles and their lineages. Feuds and raiding shaped relations between neighbouring domains; traders from other islands also sought people and products along its shores. In 1662 the sultan of Bima attempted to reassert authority over Sumba, where Portuguese-speaking Topasses had established themselves in the sandalwood trade.