7 days to Pasola

In the traditional village, houses surround a central yard dotted with tombstones, lit by candlelight on the night before Pasola. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
Kids train their horses on a beach. Sumbanese horses are small for European standards, but due to their strength and resistance are well suited for the Pasola battle. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
Buffalos are commonly sacrificed during Sumbanese ritual and their skulls adorn most traditional houses. The length of the horns is directly connected to the wealth of the family. Waigalli, Sumba (Indonesia)
During the seven nights preceding Pasola, traditional songs are performed in the house of the Rato. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
The day before Pasola, villagers take part in a ceremonial ritual to honor their ancestors. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
The day before Pasola, villagers take part in a ceremonial ritual to honor their ancestors. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
In the traditional village, houses surround a central yard dotted with tombstones, lit by candlelight on the night before Pasola. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
The morning of Pasola, pigs, dogs and chickens are sacrificed for the celebrations. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
The morning of Pasola, pigs, dogs and chickens are sacrificed for the celebrations. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
Rato reading the omens in the entrails of a chicken; if the signs are good, spears can fly. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
Before the battle begins, horsemen gather in the centre of the village and perform a last ritual at a yard surrounded by ancient tombstones. Ratenggaro, Sumba (Indonesia)
Horseman holding his spear during Pasola. Ratenggaro, Sumba (Indonesia)
Horseman holding his spear during Pasola. Ratenggaro, Sumba (Indonesia)
Horseman holding his spear during Pasola. Ratenggaro, Sumba (Indonesia)
A warrior screaming in joy after hitting a member of the other clan during Pasola. Ratenggaro, Sumba (Indonesia)
A rider is surrounded by opponents of the other clan in the middle of the battle. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
Pasola often ends in a riot, with people throwing stones and swirling their swords at each other. Wainyapu, Sumba (Indonesia)
The battle is followed by a thanksgiving ceremony in the village holding the event. Ratenggaro, Sumba (Indonesia)

Horsemen roam the battlefield, spears are flying and hopefully there will be blood soaking the ground, a necessary toll to guarantee a bountiful harvest: this is Pasola, an astonishing joust that marks the end of a ceremonial ritual taking place after the February and March full moon, when sea worms called Bau Nyale flood the coast of South-West Sumba.

7 days to Pasola

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