
Pasola (Sumba, Indonesia)
- Name of sport (game): Pasola
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Western Sumba, Indonesia
- History:
The Pasola Sumba, a unique and ancient equestrian spear-fighting competition, has its roots in the 16th century.
It is believed to have originated as a ritual to appease the gods and ensure a bountiful harvest.
The word "Pasola" comes from the local language and means "spear."The Pasola Sumba is deeply intertwined with local mythology and beliefs.
According to legend, the competition originated from a tragic love story involving a woman who remarried after believing her husband to be dead. The woman's actions were seen as a taboo and led to a conflict between two villages. To resolve the conflict, a ritual was created involving a mock battle between the two villages, which eventually evolved into the Pasola Sumba.Monument in Ratenggaro Sumba, photo: Kazimierz Waluch
- Description:
Participants:
The competition involves two teams of horse riders, each wearing traditional clothing and carrying a wooden spear.
The teams are usually made up of young men from different villages.Horses:
The horses used in the Pasola are specially trained for the event and are known for their speed and agility.
They are often decorated with colorful cloths and feathers.Spears:
The spears are made of wood and are approximately 1.5 meters long.
They are blunt-tipped to minimize injuries.Rules:
The goal of the Pasola is to hit the opponent's horse or shield with a spear.
The team that scores the most hits wins.
The competition is divided into several rounds, and the winner is determined by the team with the most points at the end of the final round.There are several specific rules that must be followed during the competition, including:
Riders must stay in their designated lanes.
Riders must not intentionally try to injure their opponents.
Riders must not use their spears to strike their opponents' horses in the head or neck.
Riders must not interfere with other riders' attempts to throw their spears.The Pasola is a dangerous sport, and there is always a risk of injury.
The competition is usually held in a large open field.
The Pasola is a celebration of tradition, community, and the enduring power of human spirit. - Current status:
Pasola is an extremely spectacular, traditional annual competition in which several dozen to several hundred dressed up riders try to throw their opponents from the horse using wooden spears. Every year in February and March there are 7-9 such competitions in various villages in the Kodi, Wanukaka and Lamboya regions in the western part of Sumba. Their exact date is announced one week in advance by the most important shaman Marapu and is associated with the date of appearance on the beach of the colorful sea worm Nyale, who once a year visits the local beaches for reproductive purposes.
- Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
The Pasola Sumba is a significant cultural event that takes place annually on the island of Sumba, Indonesia.
It is a celebration of the harvest season and a time for communities to come together.
The festival is accompanied by traditional music, dance, and feasting.
The Pasola Sumba remains an important part of Sumbanese culture and identity. It is a source of pride for the local people and attracts visitors from all over the world. The festival is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Sumbanese traditions, which have endured for centuries. - Sources of information :
Articles:
https://www.gluckman.com/Pasola.html
https://authentic-indonesia.com/blog/pasola-war-festival-tradition-in-sumba/
https://nihi.com/sumba/inspiration/stories/pasola-a-sumba-sporting-tradition
https://www.maringi-sumba.com/the-pasola-festival-something-you-have-never-seen-before/
https://travelwriter.ws/pasola-past-sumba-island/Photos:
https://www.jamesmorgan.co.uk/pasola-blood-sacrifice-in-sumbaVideo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MDHshDNnTk&fbclid=IwAR2uRXz4qg1gps9N-nHA6bChx0WkmYjddJTUbVpNCz380Z_H_jI8Uu38UKY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nIr6Ul97tI&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MDHshDNnTk&t=8s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFDn90T2rRs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qA4Eo4SGLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPzg7f06EfY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmZRaWglCXY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vusHiEL5OBcSource of photos used in this article and gallery:
Photos: Kazimierz Waluch, Traditional Sports
https://exploresumba.com/pasola-festival-sumba-island/
https://authentic-indonesia.com/packages/sumba-pasola-festival-february-march/
https://drifttravel.com/suma-indonesia-the-festival-of-pasola/
https://www.maringi-sumba.com/the-pasola-festival-something-you-have-never-seen-before/
https://come2indonesia.com/sumba-island-pasola-festival/
https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2017/04/05/pasola-centuries-old-ritual-of-sumba.html
https://www.mzunguexpeditions.com/central_indonesia_2024_en
https://far-horizon.com/travel-holidays-indonesia/bloody-pasola-festival-sumba-island-adventure/
https://www.jamesmorgan.co.uk/pasola-blood-sacrifice-in-sumba
https://exploresumba.com/tour/festival-pasola-wanokaka-4d-3n/
https://exploresumba.com/sumba-tribe-history/ - Gallery: