The iconic Pasola Festival, a traditional ritual of spear-throwing on horseback, commenced its 2026 season in the Kodi area of West Sumba. Guided by the appearance of the nyale (sea worms), the event serves as a thanksgiving ritual to ancestral spirits and attracted thousands of visitors to witness the intense displays of bravery and Sumbanese cultural identity.
Thanks to the recent recognition of Sumba as Top 18 Global Destination by Tatler Travel may potentially boost international interest in this ancient ritual.