View source for Yamdena

{{Short description|Indonesian island}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Yamdena
| image_name =
| image_caption =
| map         = Indonesia Maluku
| map_caption =
| native_name =
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| location = [[South East Asia]]
| coordinates= {{coord|7|36|S|131|25|E|type:isle_region:ID_scale:1000000|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago = [[Tanimbar Islands]]
| total_islands =
| major_islands =
| area_km2 = 2981
| highest_mount =
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| country = Indonesia
| country_admin_divisions_title = Province
| country_admin_divisions = [[Maluku (province)|Maluku]]
| country_largest_city = [[Saumlaki]]
| country_largest_city_population =
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}}
'''Yamdena''' (spelled '''Jamdena''' during the [[Dutch East Indies|Dutch colonial period]]) is the largest of the [[Tanimbar Islands]] in the [[Maluku (province)|Maluku]] province of [[Indonesia]]. [[Saumlaki]] is the chief town, located on the south end of the island.
The island has a range of forested hills along its eastern coast, while its western coast is lower. The forests are inhabited by wild [[water buffalo]].
The [[Yamdena language]] is spoken on and around the island.<ref>[http://language.psy.auckland.ac.nz/austronesian/language.php?id=78 Yamdena Wordlist at the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database]</ref> Christianity is the main religion, but [[ancestor worship]] is still practised. Handicrafts on the island include woodcarving, fine goldwork, and [[Ikat]] weaving (mainly on nearby [[Selaru Island]]). In 1987 a new species of [[Cettia|Bush Warbler]] was recorded on the island.<ref>[http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/document/43413 Rozendaal]</ref>
[[Megalith]]: In the village of Sangliat Dol there is an antique stone stairway that leads from the beach to a boat shaped stone platform.<ref>[http://www.east-indonesia.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=161&Itemid=294 Photo of the stairway]</ref>
There are several similar less preserved sites on the island<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=4GMBFsaFNN4C&dq=sangliat+dol+lonely+planet&pg=PA770 Lonely Planet Indonesia, 9th edition, page 770]</ref> which originally represented the boats on which the inhabitants' ancient ancestors arrived on the island.
==Transport==
Saumlaki is linked by air and sea to Langgur-Tual in the [[Kai Islands|Kei Islands]].
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File: Sogliat_Dol_-_Stone_Stair_Case.jpg|Stone staircase leading from the beach in the village of Songliat Dol, East Yamdena
File: Stone_Boat_Songliat_Dol.jpg|Stone boat used for ancestor worship ceremonies in Songliat Dol, East Yamdena
File: Decorations_on_Stone_Boat_Songliat_Dol.jpg|Motifs on the stone boat of Sangliat Dol, East Yamdena
File: Weluan_Beach_-_Christ_Statue.jpg|''Kristus Raja'' Christ statue at Weluan, reflecting the region's strong Christian faith
File:Saumlaki tepi laut.jpg|Saumlaki Harbour, the principal port for Yamdena and the Tanimbar Islands
</gallery>
==References==
{{Portal|Islands}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://language.psy.auckland.ac.nz/austronesian/language.php?id=78 Yamdena Wordlist at the Austronesian Basic Vocabulary Database]
[[Category:Tanimbar Islands]]
[[Category:Populated places in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Islands of Indonesia]]