Pasola is the name of a war game tournament played by two groups of selected Sumbanese men. They riding their decorated selected horses fling wooden spears at each other. (The government allows the ritual game to take place, but the spears much the blunt). Pasola is a traditional ceremony of the Sumbanese held in the way of uniquely and sympathically traditional norms, every year in February and March and has become the focus of attention of the people since it is a part of the sacred homoge to the Marapu.

Pasola is, above all, the most exciting ritual of Sumba-where else in the world can you see colorful horsemen trying to kill each other? Where else in the world can you see the shedding of blood, the lost of and eye, and occasional death coloring the event and being the part of the game?. The ceremony occurs during February in Lamboya and Kodi and during March in Gaura and Wanukaka. The main activity starts several days after the full-moon and coincide with the yearly arrival to the shore of strange, and multihued sea worms - nyale. The precise date of the event decided by Rato during the wula podu (the month of pasola the fasting month).

Pasola is derived from the world Sola or Hola meaning a kind of a long wooden stick used as a spear to fling each other by two opponent groups of horsemen. The horses used for this ritual are usually ridden by the brave and skilled selected men wearing traditional customes. In its wider and deeper meanings Pasola really not only is something worth looking on but also is something worth appreciating, for there are still other elements bound tightly behind it. The people of Sumba believe that the ritual has a very close link to the habit of the people since it arranges the behavior and the habit of the people so that the balanced condition between the physical - material needs and the mental-spiritual needs can be easily created; or in other words the ritual is believed to be able to crystallize the habit and the opinion of the people so that they can live happily both in earth and in heaven. In addition to it, Pasola is also believed to have close relation to the activity in agriculture field, therefore any bloodshed (of sacrificial cattle or men participating in the game) is considered the symbol of prosperity that must exist. Without blood Pasola means nothing to them. Those who die in the pasola arena are believed to have broken the law of tradition during the fasting month. Pasola that always takes risks, however, is accepted by the people in a very hospitable way and sportive.

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

DAY 01 : DENPASAR (BALI) -TAMBOLAKA
Arrival Tambolaka transfer directly to Waikabubak. Visit beautiful traditional villages, such as Tarung and Puunaga, surround the town. In those villages one can have a closer look into the unique high roofed houses, the stone tombs and even you still can see Andung - the branched wood pole used to hang the skull of the village enemies after the inter clan war. Transfer to HOTEL NEWA for your accommodation. Please notes : * Newa Sumba resort: North coast of Sumba right on the white sand beach (no swimming pool). Next to Tambolaka airport and close to Kodi (D)

DAY 02 : FULL DAY PASOLA at KODI
For the time and please to be advise until we get the precise date of the event decided by Rato during the wula podu (the month of pasola the fasting month).We can also exploring many traditional villages in West Sumba if time permit. It is worth to visit the villages in Kodi area where the tallest - almost as high as the tall coconut trees - traditional Sumba houses, the home of the Marapu believers. Lunch box will be provided. Transfer to HOTEL NEWA for your accommodation. Please notes : * Newa Sumba resort: North coast of Sumba right on the white sand beach (no swimming pool). Next to Tambolaka airport and close to Kodi (B, L, D)

DAY 03 : FULL DAY PASOLA OR VISIT WANOKAKA & LAMBOYA.
Another visit for Pasola War Festival or explore other traditional village at Wanokaka & Lamboya. There are many traditional villages in Sumba. It is worth to visit the villages in Kodi area where the tallest - almost as high as the tall coconut trees - traditional Sumba houses, the home of the Marapu believers. There are virgin white sand beaches. Take you chance to enjoy the nature beauty. Lunch box will be provided. Transfer to HOTEL NEWA for your accommodation. Please notes : * Newa Sumba resort: North coast of Sumba right on the white sand beach (no swimming pool). Next to Tambolaka airport and close to Kodi

DAY 04 : TAMBOLAKA - DENPASAR (BALI)
After breakfast at the appropriate time transfer to airport to catch your flight back to Bali.

GENERAL INFORMATION OF SUMBA ISLAND
Sumba island has a great and unique position respect to the Sunda Banda archipelagoes, it is one of the biggest island on the East Nusa Tenggara region beside Flores and Timor. It represents an isolated sliver of probable continental crust to the south of active volcanic islands (Sumbawa, Flores ) within the forearc basin (Fig.1). It is situated to the north of passage from the Java Trench (subduction front) to the Timor Through (collision front). It does not show still the effects of strong compression in contrast to islands of the outer arc system (Savu, Roti, Timor), while the magmatic units make up a substantial part of the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphy.

Sumba island covers an area of 11,150 square km which is now populated by about 350,000 people. Generally the climate similar to other part of Indonesia where a dry season (May to November), and a rainy season (December to April). The island of Sumba is well known of its sandlewood, horses, impressive megalithic tombs, typical hand woven textile ("ikat"), and still untouched beautiful beaches. There are two entering point in to Sumba island from anywhere in the Lesser Waingapu & Waikabubak (Tambolaka). These are the people could enter Sumba for either by flight or boat.

Sumba has a unique culture and their social life. Sumbanese are traditionally divided into three level of social life : (Raja/King) - Maramba, Customary Official - Kabihu, and Slaves - Ata. Sumbanese are living from farming, cattle breeding, rice-field farming and trading. Ones owns cattle will contribute to their social status such as if they had more cattle giving them a higher social status.

Most Sumbanese are Christian (Catholic and Protestant), however, and part of them are still strongly keep their native and original religion called Marapu. Most cultural objects are related to the Marapu religion such as the shape of traditional houses, ceremonies, or kings' graves and tombs.

The island of Sumba is well known of its sandlewood, horses, impressive megalithic tombs, typical hand woven textile ("ikat"), and still untouched beautiful beaches. There are two entering point in to Sumba island from anywhere in the Lesser Waingapu & Waikabubak (Tambolaka). These are the people could enter Sumba for either by flight or boat.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Waikabubak
A neat little town in West part of Sumba island, full of old graves carved in motifs of buffalo horns, man heads, horses, nude men or women symbolizing social status or wealth of the people. West Sumba is the regency whose capital is Waikabubak. It can be reached by plane from Kupang via Waingapu and Denpasar via Bima. In Waikabubak, you can see find the megalithic tombs of Kadung Tana, Watu Karagata, and Bulu Peka Mila. Tarung Village is an important ceremonial center, located on hill top west of Waikabubak.

Anakalang
The village of Anakalang known with the largest megalithic tombs in Sumba. The tombs are always with the unusual carvings. Anakalang is the site of the Purung Takadonga Ratu, an important mass marriage festival held every two years, on a date determined by the full moon.

Waingapu
Waingapu is the capital city of east Sumba regency, it is known with the traditional Ikat weaving and some megalithic tombs are also found on this area.

Rende
Rende village is the sights several traditional style buffalo horn adorned Sumba houses and a number of massive carved stone graves.

Kaliuda
One of the Ikat weaving center of the area. Here one can see the high quality traditional Sumba Ikat in process.

Ikat Weaving
Ikat textile in Sumba are worked an exchanged at important ceremonies to show one's social status. At the funerals, the most exquisite textiles would be placed in the grave for use in the after world.

> KOMODO GENERAL INFORMATION
> 3 DAYS KOMODO DRAGON TOUR
> 4 DAYS KOMODO DRAGON TOUR
> KOMODO ISLANDS "WORLD CLASS DIVE"
> 6 DAYS KOMODO & FLORES ADVENTURE TOUR
> 7 DAYS KOMODO & FLORES ADVENTURE TOUR
> 8 DAYS KOMODO & FLORES ADVENTURE TOUR
> 4 DAYS FLORES CULTURAL TOUR
> 5 DAYS FLORES CULTURAL TOUR
> 5 DAYS SUMBA CULTURAL TOUR
> 6 DAYS SUMBA CULTURAL TOUR
> PASOLA WAR FESTIVAL

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