Mentioned in local folktales and noted for years as the meeting point of the devil and black magic users worldwide, the Maupora atoll east of Romang island in Southwest Maluku district remains enigmatic. To date, Maupora is still considered sacred for it is a popular rendezvous for Satan and black magic users around the world, locally known as Suanggi.
On special occasions, during a night with a new moon, Suanggi residents come together at Maupora atoll to have a party. Hans Lekipera, a local resident of Romang island, says the south coast of the atoll is the place where the Suanggi, or those who practice black magic, have their party in a magnificent palace that is invisible to ordinary people.
"Once in a while, during a certain night with a new moon when people of the surrounding islands of Kisar, Leti and Moa see a bright light from the direction of Maupora atoll, it means the Suanggi or the black magic users around the world are having their party," Lekipera noted.
Although it sounds frightening, people are not reluctant to go snorkeling, diving, fishing, or just swimming in the waters of Maupora, while enjoying the sights of marine animals and the coral reefs of various colors. The beauty of Maupora atoll, with its large rocks and mangrove forest along its shoreline, in addition to evergreen and sandalwood trees on the hills, makes the island a perfect tourist destination in Southwest Maluku.
The island, with an area of 10,490 sq km, is accessible within three hours by boat from Kisar island and about 20 minutes by speedboat to the east from Jerusu beach on Romang mainland. The crystal clear water around the atoll also adds to the beauty of the beaches, and the sound of water splashing onto the shore in late afternoons will provide a memorable experience for visitors or tourists.
Marine scientists from the Netherlands, Belgium, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), and the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) have discovered that the waters around Maupora atoll are rich with coral reefs and schools of ornamental fish in various sizes and colors. These fish, which divers enjoy in Maupora waters, include white-tippet and Clark`s anemone fish, clown fish, pearly-scaled angelfish, key-hole angelfish, triangular butterfly fish, brown butterfly fish, latticed butterfly fish, oval-spot butterfly fish, pis butterfly fish, double-saddle butterfly fish, pyramid butterfly fish, emperor angelfish, scaly damsel, regal angelfish, and Moorish idol.
Also found in Maupora waters are highly valued mollusks, such as green turban shells, giant clams, top shells and also various sea cucumbers. No wonder marine scientists from the Netherlands and Belgium are fascinated with different findings, seen both on the land and in the waters of Maupora.
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