Purung Ta Liang Marapu Ritual

Purung Ta Liang is a significant Marapu ritual centered in the sacred villages of Central Sumba. It involves complex prayers, animal sacrifices, and communal meals designed to honor the ancestors and seek their guidance for the upcoming agricultural cycle. The ritual is a powerful demonstration of the persistence of the Marapu faith, involving storytelling and traditional gong music that lasts throughout the night. It offers visitors a truly authentic and unvarnished look at the spiritual heartbeat of the island.

The name ‘Purung Ta Liang’ literally means ‘descending into the cave’, with the ‘cave’ signifying a sacred site called ‘Liang Marapu’, or ‘the cave of the Marapu’. This site is located approximately 5 kilometers from the Deri Kambajawa Traditional Village.

Celebrated in Central Sumba

Purung Ta Liang is specific to the Central Sumba region of the island. There are five main clans that celebrate this event:

1. Kabisu Deri
2. Kabisu Ranyiaka
3. Kabisu Awanang
4. Kabisu Tokang
5. Kabisu Lagu

All these clans reside in the Deri Kambajawa Traditional Village and other Umbu villages nearby. In total, there are five Umbu settlements where the ritual is observed: Umbu Mamijuk, Umbu Kawolung, Umbu Pabal, Umbu Langang, and Umbu Pabal Selatan.

The Purung Ta Liang Marapu Ritual requires each clan to fulfill their own role. Every Kabisu has its own set of rituals to carry out, along with unique heirlooms, offerings and prayers.

A Ritual of Harmony and Social Unity

Traditional Marapu mythology suggests that the supreme creator, called Anatala, Hupu Ina or Hupu Ama, resides distant from humans. Therefore, they use Marapu, ancestral spirits, as intermediaries to connect with the deity.

Every year, traditional leaders, locally known as rato, descend to the sacred cave to the south of Deri Kambajawa Traditional Village to conduct a ritual involving sacred offerings and prayers. They discern spiritual signs of good and bad omens for the upcoming year, seeking divine blessings across four vital domains: agricultural prosperity, livestock abundance, health and longevity, and protection from crime and illness.

Beyond the theological role, the ritual serves a vital social function by fostering communal solidarity and social cohesion across the participating village clans. During the event, rato and other members of the community pass sacred chants (mantras), ancestral stories and customary obligations down to younger generations to safeguard their cultural identity. Additionally, the ceremony acts as a rite of spiritual purification and renewal, maintaining maringi (cosmological harmony) between humanity, nature, and the spirit world.

Timing of Purung Ta Liang Marapu Ritual

There is no exact date for Purung Ta Liang Marapu Ritual. The traditional priests and clan leaders gather to deliberate and agree upon the schedule. The ritual is typically conducted in late September and early October.

Taboos Surrounding Purung Ta Liang Marapu Ritual

Taboos related to Purung Ta Liang Marapu are similar to other Marapu rituals. Observers must avoid loud noises, parties, and large gatherings during the ceremonial period to maintain maringi. Furthermore, constructio, renovation, and any activity that involves building a structure, even funerals, are also strictly taboo during the period.