Pasola War Festival 2025, Sumba island
Pasola Festival – The Schedule 2025 will be published by January 2025
The Pasola Festival is an original war ritual for giving thanks to the ancestral spirits in the region of West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara. Therefore, two groups of 50 men each, mostly from the upper and the lower village, are fighting each other while riding horses and throwing their wooden spears toward the opponent. The initiating prayer is lead by the Rato, a traditional priest, and after he throws his spear symbolically between the groups, the “war-game” immediately starts. The selected proud Sumbanese men and also their horses are wearing traditional and colourful clothes during this ceremony.
The word Pasola derives from the word Sola or Hola, which means a kind of a long wooden stick used as a spear. The Sumbanese people believe that the festival creates a balance between material and spiritual needs in order to live happily on earth and in heaven. It contains also a sacrificial thought so that a certain bloodshed is considered to be essential. Pasola is usually the climax of a whole series of activities to celebrate the feast nyale. Pasola is believed to be the order of the ancestral population of adherent Marapu and expresses the essence of religion.
The festival is held every year in February and March in Kodi, Wanukaka and Lamboya area, West Sumba island, unfortunately the exact date is not predictable, because it is decided by the Rato and announced only one month before.
Waiting for the schedule.
Duration : 3 Days/2 Nights
Price per person: USD 545,
Based on an individual private tour, min. 2 people in double or twin room
Day 1: Denpasar – Tambolaka – City tour (-/L/D)
Flight from Denpasar to Tambolaka by NAM or Wings air. On arrival at the Airport of Tambulaka our guide picks you up and takes you to a local restaurant for Lunch, after lunch check in at Sinar Tambulaka Hotel. After checking in, visit the Sumba Museum and the traditional villages of Bondu kapumbu. It is a great occasion to see the stone graves and traditional houses of Sumbanese. Then drive to Lendungara hills to enjoy the fantastic view and down to Mananga aba beach to see the sunset , afternoon return to hotel for Dinner and overnight at Hotel at Sinar Tambolaka.
Day.02. Hotel – Kodi and Pasola Tour ( BLD )
After breakfast at the hotel , drive to Wai Ha village in Kodi area, experience and witness this Pasola festival till noon, lunch box provided , in the afternoon visit Ratenggaro Village and Waikury lagoon before returning to the Hotel for Dinner and overnight at Hotel at Sinar Tambolaka.
Day 3: Tambolaka – Denpasar ( B )
After Breakfast at your hotel, Transfer to Tambolaka airport to catch flight for your next destination
Price includes:
- Accommodation at Sinar Tambolaka with meals (B/L/D) ,
- English speaking guide ,
- Air-conditioned car during tours and transfers,
- Entrance fee, Donation, drink water
Price does not include:
- Domestic flights
- Travel Insurance,
- Drinks,
- Personal expenses and Tipping
Flights recommendation:
Denpasar – Tambolaka by NAM Air, IN 280. 09.00 – 10.00 or Lion/Wings air, IW1832 – 10.45 -12.15/City Link QG 1654 09:45 -11:15
Tambolaka – Denpasar by NAM Air, IN 281. 16.00 – 17.00 or Lion/Wings air, IW1833 – 12.35 -13.55/City Link QG 1655 11:40 -13:10
During the Pasola festival, the temperature is very hot, We advise you to bring a hat and Sunscreen with you.
