ALOR ISLANDS

Indonesian Kepulauan Alor group of two major and several lesser islets constituting the Alor kabupaten (regency) in Nusa Tenggara Timur provinsi (province), Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, between the Flores and Savu seas. The largest island is Alor (900 square miles [2,330 square km]), the two major mountains of which, Kolana (5,791 feet ) and Muna (4,724 feet ), are both old volcanoes. Alor is broken up by steep ravines, with only one plateau and some small coastal plains. Pantar Island is high (Mount Delaki is 4,324 feet ), with a rugged coast. The inhabitants speak languages belonging to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family. They are animists, except for some Christian communities along the coasts and some Muslims. Festive occasions often involve exchanges of pigs, gongs, and mokos, cast-bronze kettle drums of unknown origin. Pop. (1980) 124,948.