HolidayMamboo.com

Cultural tourism a mainstay of the tourism product in West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara. According to Anisa Omar from the Department of Culture and Tourism of West Sumba district, one of the cultural tourist attraction is the Festival Pasola.

"The obstacles in the promotion, since the determination date is somewhat complicated. Time to promotions so short. Usually 2 weeks before Pasola, will be the date," said Anisa in Waikabubak, the capital of West Sumba district (12/03/2012)

She describes the determination Festival Pasola by month and by meeting the Rato (traditional priest). Moreover, he added, also the determination by looking at certain plants that bloom on the eve of the Festival Pasola.

Pasola Festival is an annual festival that celebrated the community of West Sumba when starting the growing season. In celebration of this, each ward will compete dexterity on horseback, throwing the javelin into the opponent until the opponent to bleed.

This celebration is actually to welcome the harvest and predict crop yields. The more blood comes out when Pasola, locals believe it means the rich harvest.

In West Sumba, Pasola lasted three districts namely Wanokaka, Lamboya, and Gaura. In the morning before Pasola, held tradition Nyale. While this evening, the ritual will be held in Tentena Pajura, District Wanokaka.

Ritual is a series Pajura with Pasola. Pajura the fisticuffs between villages. The scrapper is young children by using boxing gloves made ​​of reeds. This ritual will take place at dawn.