Marapu, Sumba’s Animist Religion

Marapu, Sumba’s Animist Religion More than 60% of the population of Sumba Marapu (a kind of religion that believes the spirit of ancestors). The rest are Christians (both Catholic and Protestant). Only a small number of pupulation is Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Marapu derived from two words in Mar and Apu, which means grandfather as the creator and source of life. The main teachings of the religion Marapu believe in life while in this world and eternal life after death. Death means a person who is in fact the spirit world in the sky Marapu - Prai Marapu. The spirits of the ancestors who are still alive and watching life. Rituals and ceremonies are a way to preserve and maintain relationships (thanks) quiet with Marapu. So long as you abide by the rules of the ceremony, Marapu will bestow your blessings, such as good relationships with family and neighbors, good health, the rice plants, multiply etc.

The word Marapu has different meanings, such as:

1. the occupants of the eternal heaven, who lead a similar existence to men. They live in couples and one of these couples was the ancestor of the Sumbanese.

2. the spirits of Sumbanese ancestors in Prai Marapu.

3. the spirits of Sumbanese's relatives

4. all spirits dwelling the universe. Marapu has mysterious and magical authority over human life.

So, Marapu has animistic, spiritual, and dynamic elements. This is obviously seen in every festival held in Sumbanese daily life that the festivals into magical factor strongly influencing the belief by placing spirits role as the main component. According to Marapu beliefs, any spirits consist of two elements i.e. Ndewa and Hamanangu. In short, the Marapu concepts are the teachings about the balance of the universal life through which the happiness can be gained. The balance is symbolized by the "Ina Mawolo" (Mother of being) and the "Ama Marawi" (Father of Creation). Ina Mawolo and Ama Marawi live in the universe and take the forms of the moon and the sun. In mythology, they were husband and wife who giving birth to the ancestors of the Sumbanese.

Marapu Priests of East Sumba waiting for funeral ceremony.

To honor the Marapu, the Sumbanese put effigies, called Marapu statues, on stone altars where they lay their offerings in the forms of Sirih Pinang (a dish containing betel leaves, nuts and lime) and sacrificial cattle such as: chickens, pigs or buffaloes. The statues of Marapu are made of wood in the shape of human faces. These images are usually placed in the yard of their houses or inside the traditional houses.

                                    Merapu Priests in special dresses

House of Marapu (dwelling place of Marapu)

Marapu, Sumba’s Animist Religion According to the Marapu belief, the main house is a symbol of God's present in their village. It is located in the middle of the Kampung (village).

 

Blood and Heart of Animals in Marapu Belief 

Marapu, Sumba’s Animist Religion In Sumba culture some animals such as, chicken, pig and buffalo are good offerings to Marapu. By shedding the blood of animals it symbolizes:

* Life. We are grounding on earth and we live our life just because we have blood in our body. No blood it    means no life.

* Reconciliation (forgiveness) with the Marapu and with the other. New era and future are bound in the blood.

* Fertilization. Shed the blood on the ground before rice plantation means ask for the Marapu to look after the field and will give a good harvest.

For the Marapu belief buffalo is an important animal for Marapu Ceremony such as funeral. Marapu priest gives the blessing to the buffalo which offers to Marapu and later will be slaughtered as appear in the pictures below. The heart of the buffalo will indicate the fate of the owner.

Heart

Heart is a “letter” to read the fate of human being. Who you are for the next year will predict through the heart of animal. It’s a glimpse of future. Even, if someone is sick or experienced so many problems can be read and getting to know the cause of the diseases and the troubles. Other word; what happened in the past, connecting to the present even in the future.

Smiling is a symbol: “You are good and blessed by Marapu”

A glimpse of future - reading the fate of human being through the heart of Buffalo.

Wulla Poddu

Each year, in November, some tribes in Sumba (Loli, Waukaka, Sodan and Umbu Koba) celebrates a ritual namely Wulla Poddu. Lexically Wulla means month and Poddu means Bitter. So Wulla Poddu means holy month which all the people under some prohibitions or taboos such as to mourn the death, marriage, having party, building house etc. Actually, Wulla Poddu comes from agricultural custom. It is a time for thanksgiving to the Marapu especially before planting season. The end of Wulla Poddu there are some ceremonies such as hunting board and sacrificing chicken. Fat of the board and shedding blood of the chicken is good for Marapu. Whole families of the tribe gathering together and celebrate the dismissal of the Wulla Poddu. They share their story and food to each other. It’s a time of family reunion. Also a time for reconciliation to each other; forgive and forgiven! But, the main meaning of the Wulla Poddu is still there: may our land, harvest, cattle and good efforts will be blessed by Marapu.

 

Hunting for poddu (the holy month). Located at Umbu Koba village, Sumba Barat Daya. There is a tribe who believes that harmony of the ecosystem will be good if the human being look after the environment. The people of this tribe has a time for hunting, planting, for harvest, etc… And those times will be celebrated with a special ceremony as a way to ask for permission from Marapu so that the efforts and planns of humankind will be blessed.

A board caught by hunter as an offering to Marapu. According to the Marapu belief

the fat of animals such as pig is a good offering to Marap

Villager bring rice for offering to Marapu. Marapu Priest, ahead, lead the people

Marapu presented as a statute (totem) and placed in the middle of the village. Whole tribes gathering together as a family. They offer rice and meat to Marapu and also they share food to each other as a symbol of friendship and reconciliation.