Destinations in Indonesia
You have to login first to rate this destination
4.60/5 (5 votes)
Views:260506
Home » The Island of Flores » THE LARANTUKA “SEMANA SANTA” UNIQUE HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS
As a country with over 350 cultural ethnic
groups, the cultural diversity of Indonesia deserves to be explored.
Discover unique cultures and witness...
read more
Taking a half day or a full day excursion on
holiday or between conferences is always a wonderful introduction into a
new destination, whether to a...
read more
THE LARANTUKA “SEMANA SANTA” UNIQUE HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Overview
Each year, the week before Easter Sunday, the town of Larantuka, East Flores, solemnly celebrates the Holy Week, popularly known here as “Semana Santa”.
The pinnacle of these celebrations is the commemoration of Christ’s
suffering on Good Friday by following the stations of the Cross, known
here as the “Sesta Vera”. In Larantuka, prayers center around two religious icons, one is the statue of Jesus Christ (locally known as Tuan Ana) and the other is that of the Virgin Mary (Localy known as Tuan Ma).
Both are original statues brought here by Portuguese missionaries
Gaspar do Espírito Santo and Agostinho de Madalena in the 16th century.
These statues are presented to the public only during Easter and are
kept out-of-view for the rest of the year.
Located on the eastern tip of Flores Island, - Larantuka,- also known as ‘Kota Reinha’ or ‘Tana Nagi’, is the capital of the district of East Flores.
Having strong Portuguese colonial
influences, the town is commonly known as one where Catholicism
flourishes in Indonesia. For more than four centuries, this region
inherited Catholicism through the role of the common people rather than
through the clergy. The King of Larantuka, missionaries, the brotherhood
of apostles of the common people (Confreria), the Semana Tribe, and the Kakang (Kakang Lewo Pulo Tribe) as well as the Pou (Lema Tribe) have played pivotal roles in the development of Catholicism in this Larantuka region.
During Holy Week, the normally quiet and
tranquil town will be filled with pilgrims and congregations from many
parts of Indonesia and from around the world.
The Semana Santa commences with the Rabu Trewa
or the Shackled Wednesday (or Ash Wednesday) on the mid-Easter week.
On this day, devotees gather in chapels and pray, remembering the
betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot which led to Jesus’ arrest and
shackling. This is the time when the town of Larantuka turns into the
Town of Mourning; a time when it drowns into solemnity and reflection
for the purification of the soul.
In the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, devotees enact the tikam turo
ritual in preparing the route for the following day’s seven kilometer
procession by planting candles along the route. At the Chapel of Tuan Ma
(Virgin Mary) the casket that has been sealed for one year is carefully
opened by the Conferia, and the statue of Tuan Ma or Virgin
Mary is bathed and then dressed in mourning clothes (a piece of black or
purple, or blue velvet coat).
The pinnacle of the rituals falls on
Good Friday or the Sesta Vera. The door of the chapel of Tuan Ma and
Tuan Ana (Jesus and the Virgin Mary) opens at ten o’clock in the
morning. The Good Friday procession is highlighted by the ritual of
carrying the body of Jesus Christ, placing Jesus at the center of the
ritual and placing Mother Mary at the center of attention, as the
mourning mother (Mater Dolorosa). The Sabtu Santo (Holy Saturday) and the Minggu Paskah (Easter Sunday) follow the next days, marking the end of the entire Easter week procession.
From Jakarta or Bali the
town of Larantuka is accessible by flights to the El Tari Airport in
Kupang or the Wai Oti Airport in Maumere, followed by about 3 hours’
overland journey to Larantuka.
There are few hotels and accommodation
facilities available in the region, so if you plan to attend the Semana
Santa make sure that you make your arrangements early. A number of
travel agents offer special packages to ease your travels. Please check
our "Find Travel Agent".
See on The Map
Related Destinations
- Kelimutu : Adventure to the Three colored Lakes
- Liang Bua, Home of Indonesia's "hobbits"
- Prailiu village
- Pantar Strait, Alor Archipelago
- Labuan Bajo
- Batu Cermin Cave
- Traditional Village of Compang Ruteng
- Soekarno's House in Ende
- Komodo National Park
- Semau Island
- Diving Around Komodo Island
- Kupang on Timor
- THE TRADITIONAL WHALE HUNT of LAMALERA on FLORES
- Maumere, City to embark on your Flores adventure
- Ruteng
- Kanawa: Best Satellite Island to enjoy the Komodo National Park
- LARANTUKA of ‘Semana Santa’ fame
- Nature’s Hidden Gems in the Kupang Regency on Timor Island
- The Village of Boti and the wisdom of the ancient Timorese
- Sumba: Powerful Surf, living megalithic culture and fine ikat cloths
- The Traditional Village of Wae Rebo on the island of Flores
Related Activity
Traditional Villages
As a country with over 350 cultural ethnic
groups, the cultural diversity of Indonesia deserves to be explored.
Discover unique cultures and witness...
read more
Sightseeing
Taking a half day or a full day excursion on
holiday or between conferences is always a wonderful introduction into a
new destination, whether to a...
read more
Tiada ulasan:
Catat Ulasan