[2] The Sumbese have been able to retain much of their culture despite foreign influences that arrived long ago on the Lesser Sunda Islands.

East of the island was greatly influenced by the colonial administration, while the west side maintained an archaic lifestyle.

The climate with regular seasonal droughts have led to the formation of a special agricultural strategy where farmers simultaneously grow various crops at subsistence level such as rice, beans, tuber, corn, and so on.

The main type of settlement is village houses with their traditional defensive concept is to be built on hilltops and surrounded by dense thorny thickets.

Thatched roof has a complex structure designed to protect homes from rain and sun, as well as to provide natural ventilation in buildings.

The social strata in East Sumba Regency among the nobles (maramba), priests (kabisu) and the common folk (ata) still exists although it is not observed as strictly as in the past and outwardly it is no longer obviously seen in the physical appearance and the dress of a person.

[13] In the past, the main clothing was ornamented sarong ikat,[14][15] where both men and women covered them only at the lower part of the body.

From the hinggi and lau fabrics which is made by weaving techniques and its application of muti and hada are revealed as various symbols in the social and economic context.

[16] Historically, the eastern part of the island of Sumba is the hub of trade relations where people are connected with the outside world.

Therefore in the second half of 2 millennium AD, complex social structure are formed here with a layer of high ranking soldiers and leaders that took the monarch title, raja.

In both parts of the island's main social role played by the major tribal communities, who occupied the village, controls the surrounding land and water sources.

Preserved traditional festivals, which includes horse race, bull sacrifices, complex funerary rituals and fights with spears.

[19] In West Sumba Regency, people come from far away just to watch the pasola, a competition whereby two teams compete in throwing blunted spears at each other.

As mentioned previously, the attire of the adult Sumba community tend to be based on the level of importance as well as the circle of environment in an event rather than hierarchical social status.

By observing those aspects, the study of Sumba men's clothing are focused on traditional attires worn in huge events, ceremonies, festivals and of the sorts.

Sumba men's attire are consist of a headgear, body coverings and a number of accompanying embellishments and bladed weapon.

[22] Tiara patang is tied around the head, a type of headgear with certain loops and knots that displays a crest shape.

[22] A variety of decorations that are found on the hinggi and tiara especially those that related to living creature such as human abstract (skull), prawns, chicken, snake, dragon, crocodile, horse, fish, turtle, squid, deer, bird, buffalo and patterns that are influence by foreign cultures (Chinese and Dutch) such as dragon, three colored flag, crown and lion.