A
fter traveling quite far from Bali, finally The called Marapu. Every year, during the month of
Amazing East team arrives at Kodi, one of February or March, they hold a series of ritual
the villages of West Sumba. The beautiful ceremonies to ask for blessings from God so
scenery relieves our tiredness and replaces it that they reap a good harvest. The main event
with a deep, refreshing feeling. A cup of hot is held over several days.
black coffee with a plate of sweet potatoes
makes the situation even more comforting. Pasola is dramatized war that involves two
groups of warriors riding on horseback. Each
We wanted to witness the Pasola festival. group is made up of one hundred young men
In fact it was the main reason why we were armed with long wooden spears, each more
visiting this little village. Held in February in than 1.5cm in diameter. Even though the spears
Kodi and Lamboya, as well as in early March are not sharpened, Pasola sometimes results
in Wanokaka, their unique tradition has become in casualties. Oddly enough, however, people
world famous. never report feeling pain during the match.
Not long after finishing our coffee, we were Not long after the show begins, the two
accompanied by Umbu Manoki, one of the groups of armed warriors are ready to battle.
leaders in Kodi village, to open plains where Casualties are rare and villagers believe that if
they hold the Pasola. Here, there were many they do occur, these people are being punished
villagers already gathering to witnessing the by God for past wrongdoings. During the show,
great match. participants, supporters and the rest of the
audience laugh and cheer together, admiring
According to Umbu Manoki, Pasola is a part the warriors’ skills; sometimes you can even
of series of traditional ceremonies held by hear ladies screaming in enthusiastic support
Sumbanese who still adhere to their original faith for their team.
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The Amazing East | vol 1 issue 4
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