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제목 [아시아] Pasola

  • 조회수
    426
  • 작성일
    2020-12-22
  • 첨부

© Fakhri Anindita, 2016

Name Pasola
Alternative Names
Origin Indonesia
Main Techniques Mixed (Horseback, weapon-based)
Weapons Spears
Purpose of Practice Martial Games
Type of Origination Transmitted
Degree of Sportification N/A
Yes (Year: )      No
General Information Pasola is a yearly recurring war festival on the island Sumba, Indonesia. The name is derived from hola which refers to a long wooden stick. During the festival two groups fight each other in a ritual spear fighting game on horseback, similar to jousting. The intent is to hit the approaching opponent with pasol-spears while avoiding getting hit. The festival is organised in different places on the island during the months February and March (Gillies, 2013). The timing of the festival coincides with the arrival of the nyale, multi-colored sea worms (Cristofoletti, 2016).
History/Development The villages, tribes and small kingdoms in the area were very isolated for a long time, this caused the persistence of internal wars up until the 20th century. The festival commemorates the wars and serves as a way to keep the peace and preserve the bond between families and their ancestral roots (Gillies 2013; Cristofoletti 2016).
Transmission
(Policies/institutions)
Touristic excursions to the festival brings a new audience to the event and can provide a new purpose for the art. Next to a local tradition it has become a cultural attraction.
Relevant Organisations
Additional Materials - Thomas Cristofoletti published a beautiful photo essay on his website showing the different steps in preparing, executing and ending the festival:
https://www.thomascristofoletti.com/pasola-festival
- James Morgan also published a series of photographs covering the pasola festival:
https://www.jamesmorgan.co.uk/pasola-blood-sacrifice-in-sumba
References - Cristofoletti, T. (2016). The Tradition of the Pasola Festival
https://www.thomascristofoletti.com/pasola-festival
- Gillies, E. (2013). “Living megalithic culture in Sumba”, The Jakarta Post Travel,
https://web.archive.org/web/20140217061819/
http://www.jakpost.travel/news/living-megalithic-culture-in-sumba-rF82pM1WIGXmv7c0.html

Note: the sources about pasola consist mainly of reports from travelers and photographers