Pasola Festival, War Attraction In West Sumba

Cultural tourism became a mainstay product tours in West Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur. According to Anisa Omar from the Cultural and Tourism
Office of West Sumba Regency, one of them is the Festival of Pasola.

"The barriers are in the promotion, since the determination of the date is rather complicated. Time for the promotion is so short. Usually 2 weeks before Pasola, then the date can be followed up," said Anisa in Waikabubak, capital of West Sumba Regency,(12/3/2012).

She explains the determination of the festival is by month as well as through the meeting of Rato (indigenous priests). In addition, she said, also by the determination of specified plants which blooming by the Festival of Pasola.



Pasola is an annual festival that celebrated West Sumba communities when starting the planting season. In this celebration, each village will be pitted against agility on horseback while throwing the javelin to the opponent, even until bleeding.

This celebration actually to welcome the harvest time and predict the yields. More blood out in Pasola, locals believe it means that the harvest plentiful. This year, the Festival of the Pasola celebrated on March 14, 2012.

In West Sumba Pasola spanned in three district : Wanokaka, Lamboya and Gaura. The morning before Pasola, Nyale tradition will held. While in the evening, ritual of Pajura will be held at Tentena, sub-district of Wanokaka.

The Ritual of Pajura is still a series with Pasola. Pajura is a boxing compatition between villages. The Pajura boxer is male youth using boxing gloves made from reeds. This Ritual will take place in the early morning hours.




source : http://travel.kompas.com/read/2012/03/12/16584337/