More than sixty perscent of the population of Sumba are ‘Marapu’. This religion is unique to the island. Of the other forty percent, most follow Christianity (Catholic and Protestant); and a small percentage are Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist. ‘Marapu’ is formed from two words; ‘Mar’ meaning ‘the grandfather’ and ‘Apu’ meaning ‘the creator and source of life’.

Blood
The Marapu consider chicken, pigs and buffalo to be superior sacrificial offerings for their gods. This animal bloodshed is symbolic of life. Blood is our life force. Without it we cannot live. Reconciliation and forgiveness. Between the Marapu and with others. New beginnings are bound within the blood. Fertilisation. By dousing the ground in blood before planting rice, the Marapu spirits will ensure a successful harvest.

Every year in November, several tribes in Sumba (Loli, Wanukaka, Sodan and Umbu Koba) follow the tradition of ‘Wulla Poddu’. Literally translated this means ‘the bitter month’. During this month people are forbidden to mourn death, marry, have celebrations or build houses. It is a time for giving thanks to the Marapu before planting season begins.

Since the Marapu followers believe in life after death, funerals are the most important and extravagant ritual of all. Normally, the body of the deceased is kept for a few days to compete several ceremonies before being buried. However, funeral ceremonies and burials can be delayed for decades during which the bodies of the deceased are kept in the family’s home. This is especially common for people of nobility. This is due to the fact that a lot of money is needed to bury a person from a noble family. Read more: Funerals

A traditional Sumbanese house isn’t just a dwelling place. It is a work of art, bursting with symbolism and ancient customs. Sumbanese houses are traditionally built on hilltops, usually within a village, and surrounded by a neat stone wall with two main gates: an entrance and an exit. From the hilltops approaching enemy tribes can be easily spotted.

Geologists refer to Sumba as a ‘living megalith culture’. It is common to see massive megalithic tombs in most villages throughout Sumba. Approximately 4,500 years ago the ‘megalith culture’ emerged here and continues to this day. These megalithic tombs are made from stone, usually hard limestone or the famous Tarimbang rock from Tarimbang Beach (more expensive and bears a resemblance to marble). The large flat stone is supported by four pillars, each about 1.5 metres high. The tombs look similar to an altar and weigh anywhere from 40 to 70 tons. Read more: Megalithic Tombs

Pasola is a Marapu ritual held by the western Sumbanese to celebrate the rice planting season. The Pasola pays homage to the Marapu: to ask for forgiveness, for prosperity and for an abundant harvest. It usually takes place during February in the areas of Lamboya and Kodi, and in March in the areas of Gaura and Wanukaka. Read more: Pasola Ceremony

‘Kedde’ is a word taken from the local dialects of Wejewa and Loura in Southwest Sumba. It is the name given to several Marapu ceremonies here; funerals, weddings and thanksgivings. ‘Kedde’ literally means ‘wake up’. One family member must invite their relatives to feast, and close family members will bring a pig or buffalo and some traditional ikat (hand woven cloth) to the occasion.

Becoming a mother goes hand in hand with becoming a ‘housewife’. This is unwritten law in Sumbanese society. Those that follow the Marapu religion may marry more than one woman. However, in order to marry a woman here, the man must pay a large dowry. This is not the price to ‘purchase’ the woman, but in fact a way to bind the man with the woman’s family. The dowry is often paid by means of buffalo, pigs, cows, horses, gold and sometimes money. The amount is decided between the families of the man and woman that are to marry.