Mata Buntu Waterfall is one of Luwu Timur's famous exotic natural wonders. The falls are 33 levels high and well protected. Set amongst virgin nature, it is no wonder that the water is crystal and clear and the air is cool. Besides, the butterflies fly freely throughout the falls.
To reach the falls' highest level, visitors must climb hundreds of steps. I myself I reached it to the 12 levels only. On its left and right are towering with walls of karts. On the waterfall levels are covering with small pools, perfect places to have a soak or a splash. They are vary in depth, it starts from ankle, and also can be from calf to waist deep.
For your information, it is not hard to reach Mata Buntu waterfall. Located in Wasuponda Subdistrict, Luwu Timur Regency, it is about 40 minutes from Luwu Timur's capital, Malili. From Sorowako, it is a 30-minute drive on well sealed roads. The trip to the waterfall is a very refreshing experience in itself, as the road passes rice fields, and during planting season, many farmers working on them.
My uncle, Om Razak, has rice field near the falls, so that when we go there, I
continue my trip to Mata Buntu just to have a soak and play with my
friends in its pools. He lives near the traditional market in Wasuponda.
Mata Buntu is not the original name of the falls. Martinus Tomana, Karunsie's Indegenous Council said, its real name was '
Meruruni' which in the local language meant 'rumble' (Alamsyah, Adiati, & Rusdiyanto, 2012). It is due to the sound of the waterfall like a rumble. Besides, Martinus was also unsure of when the name 'Mata Buntu' appeared, but he guessed it was around the same time the waterfall was designated a tourist attraction. He said that the new name was not entirely wrong because the rock mountain springs where Mata Buntu's water comes from creating a flow of water bubbles.
Related to the name itself, I asked my uncle too, and he said the same thing,
Meruruni, as the first name of Mata Buntu before tourist knew about it.
Sources:
Alamsyah, Nala Dipa., Adiati, Nuki., & Rusdiyanto, Eko. 2012.
Wellcome to Sorowako 2012. PT. Vale Indonesia Tbk.
Http://www.luwutimurkab.go.id/lutim/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=181&Itemid=218 , accessed on December 12, 2014.
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