A\u00a0rare and fascinating tale that began when Sumba\u2019s ancestors, the \u2018Marapu,\u2019 landed on its secluded beach centuries ago.<\/p>\n
Beliefs about their powers vary, but the Marapu spirit has remained a benevolent force on the island, protecting the way of life and attracting custodians whom honor and carry forth the heritage and stories of the Sumbanese people, past and present.<\/p>\n
The same beach attracted Claude and Petra Graves in 1988, in search of the perfect wave. From this adventure emerged a vision to create a resort that would preserve and share the breathtaking beauty of Sumba with those who would truly appreciate it. The beach of Nihiwatu, meaning \u201cmortar stone,\u201d was named by early settlers for its isolated rock formation along the tide. The Graves aptly called the resort Nihiwatu for its surrounding legacy.<\/p>\n
By 2012, stories of the unregulated freedom and beauty of NIHI reached renowned brand-building American entrepreneur Christopher Burch, who was told Claude was looking for help to expand the resort. Burch called on a friend from New York\u2019s The Carlyle Hotel\u2014South African-born hotelier James McBride, who was President of YTL Hotels in Singapore at the time\u2014to visit Sumba.<\/p>\n