Mentawai Islands Regency
Template:Short description Template:Infobox settlement
The Mentawai Islands Regency is a regency of West Sumatra Province which consists of a chain of about a hundred islands and islets approximately Template:Convert off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. They cover a land area of Template:Convert and had a population of 76,173 at the 2010 Census<ref name="Biro Pusat Statistik 2011">Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.</ref> and 87,623 at the 2020 Census;<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref> the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 97,837.<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 Fewbruary 2025, Kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog 1102001.1301.)</ref>
Siberut at Template:Convert is the largest of the islands, occupying 64.27% of the land area of the regency. The other major islands are Sipura (or Sipora), North Pagai (Pagai Utara), and South Pagai (Pagai Selatan). The islands lie off the Sumatran coast, across the Mentawai Strait. The indigenous inhabitants of the islands are known as the Mentawai people. The Mentawai Islands have become a noted destination for surfing,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with over 40 boats offering surf charters to international guests.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Administrative districts
The Mentawai Islands have been administered as a regency within the West Sumatra (Sumatera Barat) province since 1999. The regency seat is Tua Pejat, on the island of Sipora. Padang, the capital of the province, lies on the Sumatran mainland opposite Siberut. The regency is divided into ten districts (kecamatan), tabulated below from south to north with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census<ref name="Biro Pusat Statistik 2011"/> and the 2020 Census,<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021"/> together with the official estimates as at mid 2024.<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 Fewbruary 2025, Kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog 1102001.1301.)</ref> The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (all classed as rural desa) and the number of named offshore islands in each district, and its postcode.
| Name of District (kecamatan) |
English Name |
Area in km2 |
Pop'n 2010 Census |
Pop'n 2020 Census |
Pop'n mid 2024 Estimate |
Admin centre |
No. of villages |
No. of islands |
Post code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pagai Selatan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Pagai Selatan Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301011)</ref> | South Pagai | 851.28 | 8,782 | 9,373 | 10,575 | Bulasat | 4 | 31 | 25391 |
| Sikakap (a) <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Sikakap Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301012)</ref> | Central Pagai | 312.60 | 9,531 | 10,219 | 11,156 | Taikako | 3 | 8 | 25399 |
| Pagai Utara <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Pagai Utara Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301013)</ref> | North Pagai | 371.25 | 5,212 | 6,031 | 6,617 | Saumanganya | 3 | 9 | 25390 |
| Sipora Selatan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Sipora Selatan Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301021)</ref> | South Sipora | 348.33 | 8,460 | 9,812 | 10,781 | Sioban | 7 | 3 | 25392 |
| Sipora Utara <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Sipora Utara Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301022)</ref> | North Sipora | 272.40 | 9,097 | 11,968 | 13,874 | Sido Makmur | 6 | 12 | 25398 |
| Siberut Barat Daya <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Barat Daya Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301031)</ref> | Southwest Siberut | 1,013.83 | 6,069 | 7,058 | 8,051 | Pasakiat Taileleu | 3 | 17 | 25393 |
| Siberut Selatan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Selatan Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301030)</ref> | South Siberut | 328.00 | 8,446 | 9,933 | 11,942 | Muara Siberut | 5 | 1 | 25397 |
| Siberut Tengah <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Tengah Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301032)</ref> | Central Siberut | 589.75 | 6,069 | 7,089 | 7,892 | Saibi Samukop | 3 | 5 | 25396 |
| Siberut Utara <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Utara Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301040)</ref> | North Siberut | 782.68 | 7,774 | 8,337 | 9,325 | Muara Sikabaluan | 6 | 4 | 25395 |
| Siberut Barat <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Barat Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301041)</ref> | West Siberut | 1,163.64 | 6,733 | 7,803 | 8,524 | Simalegi | 3 | 1 | 25394 |
| Totals | 6,033.76 | 76,173 | 87,623 | 97,837 | Tuapejat | 43 | 111 |
Note: (a) Sikakap District covers the northern part of South Pagai Island and the southern part of North Pagai Island, plus some intervening small islands. Of the three desa, Matobek is entirely on North Pagai Island, while Sikakap and Taikato are mainly on North Pagai Island but each includes areas on South Pagai as well as the intervening small islands.
Villages
The ten districts comprise forty-three rural villages (desa) listed below with their areas and their populations as officially estimated for mid 2024:<ref>Sum of data from district Katalogs as referenced below.</ref>
| Kode Wilayah |
Name of desa |
Area in km2 |
Pop'n Estimate mid 2024 |
Notes on location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.09.10.2001 | Sinaka (Sinakak) | 265.87 | 2,532 | |
| 13.09.10.2002 | Bulasat | 224.00 | 2,759 | |
| 13.09.10.2003 | Malakopa (Malakopak) | 127.63 | 2,837 | |
| 13.09.10.2004 | Makalo | 233.78 | 2,447 | |
| 13.09.10 | Totals Pagai Selatan District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Pagai Selatan Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301011)</ref> | 851.28 | 10,575 | |
| 13.09.09.2001 | Sikakap | 35.82 | 5,419 | The village itself is on North Pagai Island, but most of its territory is on South Pagai Island. |
| 13.09.09.2002 | Taikako | 168.20 | 3,559 | The village itself is on North Pagai Island, but some of its territory is on South Pagai Island or on small islands between the two. |
| 13.09.09.2003 | Matobe (Matobek) | 108.59 | 2,178 | Situated entirely on North Pagai Island, on the island's east coast. |
| 13.09.09 | Totals Sikakap District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Sikakap Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301012)</ref> | 312.60 | 11,156 | |
| 13.09.01.2007 | Betumonga | 76.91 | 1,333 | |
| 13.09.01.2008 | Silabu | 97.63 | 1,334 | |
| 13.09.01.2009 | Saumanganya | 196.72 | 3,950 | |
| 13.09.01 | Totals Pagai Utara District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Pagai Utara Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301013)</ref> | 371.25 | 6,617 | |
| 13.09.02.2001 | Bosua | 40.78 | 1,848 | |
| 13.09.02.2002 | Beriulou | 78.93 | 1,103 | |
| 13.09.02.2003 | Nemnemleleu | 46.91 | 1,493 | |
| 13.09.02.2004 | Mara | 62.27 | 1,224 | |
| 13.09.02.2006 | Sioban | 16.75 | 2,355 | |
| 13.09.02.2007 | Matobe | 23.62 | 1,305 | |
| 13.09.02.2008 | Saureinu | 79.47 | 1,543 | |
| 13.09.02 | Totals Sipora Selatan District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Sipora Selatan Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301021)</ref> | 348.33 | 10,781 | |
| 13.09.08.2001 | Betumonga | 110.58 | 1,381 | On southwest coast of Sipora. |
| 13.09.08.2002 | Goisooinan | 56.07 | 1,274 | |
| 13.09.08.2003 | Tuapejat | 86.52 | 6,642 | |
| 13.09.08.2004 | Sido Makmur | 6.07 | 1,001 | |
| 13.09.08.2005 | Bukit Pamewa | 7.72 | 858 | |
| 13.09.08.2006 | Sipora Jaya | 5.44 | 2,718 | |
| 13.09.08 | Totals Sipora Utara District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Sipora Utara Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301022)</ref> | 272.40 | 13,874 | |
| 13.09.06.2001 | Katurei | 128.35 | 2,498 | Actually situated on the southeast of the island, south of Muara Siberut. |
| 13.09.06.2002 | Sagulubbeg | 469.47 | 1,836 | On south section of the west coast. |
| 13.09.06.2003 | Pasakiat Taileleu | 416.00 | 3,717 | The southernmost village on Siterup, includes small islands off the south coast |
| 13.09.06 | Totals Siberut Barat Daya District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Barat Daya Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301031)</ref> | 1,013.83 | 8,051 | |
| 13.09.03.2002 | Muara Siberut | 17.75 | 3,322 | |
| 13.09.03.2003 | Maileppet | 18.77 | 1,887 | A coastal village, north of Muara Siberut. |
| 13.09.03.2004 | Muntei | 90.94 | 1,868 | An inland village, west from Maileppet. |
| 13.09.03.2005 | Matotonan | 85.65 | 1,358 | An inland village, further west. |
| 13.09.03.2007 | Madobag | 114.89 | 2,607 | An inland village, also further west. |
| 13.09.03 | Totals Siberut Selatan District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Selatan Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301030)</ref> | 328.00 | 11,042 | |
| 13.09.07.2001 | Saibi Samukop | 230.63 | 3,784 | |
| 13.09.07.2002 | Cimpungan | 93.84 | 1,271 | |
| 13.09.07.2003 | Saliguma | 265.28 | 2,837 | |
| 13.09.07 | Totals Siberut Tengah District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Tengah Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301032)</ref> | 589.75 | 7,892 | |
| 13.09.04.2003 | Bojakan | 263.04 | 1,213 | |
| 13.09.04.2004 | Sotboyak | 42.83 | 726 | |
| 13.09.04.2005 | Mongan Poula | 30.61 | 1,111 | |
| 13.09.04.2006 | Muara Sikabaluan | 43.41 | 2,647 | |
| 13.09.04.2007 | Sirilogui | 107.24 | 1,384 | |
| 13.09.04.2008 | Malancan | 295.55 | 2,244 | Situated in the north of the district. |
| 13.09.04 | Totals Siberut Utara District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Utara Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301040)</ref> | 782.68 | 9,325 | |
| 13.09.05.2001 | Simatalu Sipokak | 309.47 | 3,775 | |
| 13.09.05.2002 | Simalegi | 559.19 | 2,462 | |
| 13.09.05.2003 | Sigapokna | 294.98 | 2,287 | Situated on the north coast of the island. |
| 13.09.05 | Totals Siberut Barat District <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2025, Kecamatan Siberut Barat Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1301041)</ref> | 1,163.64 | 8,524 |
Tourism
Surfing
Macaronis was first discovered in 1980 by pioneer surf discoverers Chris Goodnow, Scott Wakefield, and Tony Fitzpatrick, who originally named the break ‘P-Land’ on their first visit (after Pasangan Bay / Pagai Islands). Amazingly, and considering the remote location, P-Land may have been the first wave surfed in the Mentawai Islands. Lances Right was discovered a full 10 years later, while Chris, Scott, and Tony continued to keep their discovery a secret. They returned in 1981 with friend Tim Annand, and again on a boat trip in the 90’s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The first photos of the surf breaks in the Mentawais area were leaked after a surf trip in 1992 aboard the MV Indies Trader, with professional surfers Ross Clarke-Jones, Tom Carroll, and Martin Potter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ever since then, the Mentawai Islands have been well on the radar of surf travellers around the world. At the West of Sumatra, the Mentawai Islands have the most consistent surf breaks in Indonesia making it one of the preferred choices for serious surfers. The tropical waters surrounding the islands offer year-round waves up to Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ecology
The islands have been separated from Sumatra since the mid-Pleistocene period, which has allowed at least twenty endemic species to develop amongst its flora and fauna. This includes six endemic primates: the Kloss's gibbon (Hylobates klossii), Mentawai macaque (Macaca pagensis), Siberut macaque (Macaca siberu), Mentawai langur (Presbytis potenziani), Siberut langur (Presbytis siberu), and pig-tailed langur (Simias concolor). They are highly endangered due to logging, unsustainable hunting, and conversion of rainforest to palm oil plantations.<ref>Whittaker, D. 2006. A conservation action plan for the Mentawai primates. Primate Conservation 20: 95–105.</ref> Some areas of the Mentawai Islands rainforest ecoregion are protected, such as the Siberut National Park. Red junglefowl, the Asian palm civet, and crab-eating macaque are also native.<ref>Template:WWF ecoregion</ref>
Seismic activity
The Mentawai Islands lie above the Sunda megathrust, a seismically active zone responsible for many great earthquakes. This megathrust runs along the southwestern side of Sumatra island, forming the interface between the Eurasian Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate.
Earthquake and tsunami activity has been high since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. In 1833, the region was hit with an earthquake, possibly similar in size to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> another large earthquake struck in 1797. On October 25, 2010, an earthquake in southern Sumatra led to a deadly tsunami that devastated villages in South and North Pagai.<ref Name="politiktimes">Template:Cite web</ref> On March 3, 2016, an earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes occurred off the Indian Ocean, a few hundred kilometres from Mentawai islands, as a result of strike-slip faulting within the oceanic lithosphere of the Indo-Australia plate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
- Mentawai ethnic group
- Mentawai Festival