Marapu: The Indigenous Belief System of the People of Sumba

Helloindonesia.id – Amidst the ever-flowing currents of modernization, the people of Sumba continue to uphold a sacred ancestral heritage: the Marapu belief system. The term “Marapu” is derived from two words mar, meaning the creator of the universe and source of life, and apu, meaning grandfather or ancestor. In essence, Marapu refers to the revered or the exalted ones.

Faith Rooted in Ancestral Worship

At its core, Marapu is a spiritutal tradition that centers on the veneration of ancestral spirits. For the Sumbanese, the spirits of their forebears are not merely departed souls but intermediaries between humans and the Creator. Through these spirits, they believe a spiritual connection with the divine can be established.

To this day, the Marapu belief system remains alive and practiced, especially in traditional villages scattered across the highlands and remote lowlands of Sumba Island.

Traditional House Architecture

The distinct architecture of Marapu traditional villages features elevated wooden houses with thatched roofs made of dried grass. These houses are divided into two main types: uma kalada (great house) and ana uma (common house).

Uma kalada is the first house built by the founding ancestors of the clan and serves as the residence for the kabisu, or the direct descendants of the original land-owning lineage. The clan leader, known as the rato, lives in the uma kalada with his wife and children.

Ana uma, on the other hand, is inhabited by other followers of the Marapu faith. While these are not designated as “great houses,” they share similar shapes and dimensions with the uma kalada.

The houses in a traditional village are aligned in rows encircling a central courtyard. This open space serves as the ceremonial ground for various religious rituals and traditional events.

Wulla Poddu: A Sacred Month of Restraint

One of the most significant observances in the Marapu faith is Wulla Poddu, a sacred month marked by numerous taboos and ritual practices. The term wulla means moon, while poddu means bitter symbolizing a time of solemn abstinence and spiritual reflection.

During Wulla Poddu, villagers are strictly forbidden from engaging in activities such as house construction or repairs (especially roofing), holding celebrations, mourning the dead with weeping or gongs, and engaging in sexual relations. Consumption of pork and dog meat is also prohibited, while vegetables, chicken, and rice are allowed.

Various rituals are performed throughout the month. These include prayers of gratitude, blessings, and ancestral storytelling some recounting the origins of humankind and the creation of the world.

Another unique tradition during Wulla Poddu is the wild boar hunt. The first boar caught is considered an omen for the upcoming harvest: a male boar signifies good yield, while a boar that bites a hunter is seen as a warning of a potential rat plague.

Wulla Poddu also marks an important rite of passage for young men. Those reaching maturity are taken into the wild to live independently for several days, symbolizing their transition into adulthood. Circumcision is also part of this sacred process.

The culmination of Wulla Poddu is a festive celebration that draws Sumbanese from across the archipelago to return home and take part in the ancestral traditions.

Pasola: Sacred Ritual Through Horseback Jousting

Another striking ritual in the Marapu tradition is Pasola a ceremonial battle showcasing the warriors’ skill in throwing wooden spears while riding galloping horses. During Pasola, members of different clans face off, each hurling spears at the opposing side.

Despite its fierce appearance, Pasola is a spiritual ritual symbolizing unity and reconciliation among the kabisu. Held at the start of the planting season, it is a sacred offering to the ancestral spirits in hopes of fertile lands and abundant harvests.

Traditional Marriage: Dowry and Ancestral Values

Marriage customs among Marapu followers are also steeped in tradition. Central to the ceremony is the belis (dowry), which must be presented by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. The belis often consists of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of livestock typically horses and water buffalo and traditional Sumbanese jewelry such as mamuli.

Interestingly, the belis can be paid in installments. If the groom’s family cannot provide the full amount at once, they may deliver a portion say, 20 animals along with jewelry and complete the payment later.

The marriage proposal usually takes place a day before the wedding. The wedding ceremony itself is held at the bride’s family home, with each family appointing a spokesperson. These spokespersons serve as mediators, whose roles are to help resolve any future disputes in the marriage.

Once the wedding is formally recognized in the eyes of tradition, the bride must move in with the groom and his family.

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Marapu is more than just a belief system it is a living cultural identity. Through every ritual, custom, and oral tradition, the people of Sumba preserve their spiritual ties to the land, their ancestors, and the Creator.