About Lamalera Whaling Village
Lamalera is a remote village well-known
for its peoples’ profession as whale hunters. Lamalera is located on the
southern coast of Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Lembata, once integrated
with East Flores Regency, is now an independent regency of its own. Lamalera
Village is divided into two sub-villages: Lamalera A and Lamalera B, each with
a population of approximately 2.000 people.
In the past years, Lamalera was a remote and isolated village
located far from the hub of the local government, but now development of
electricity facilities and paved highways have commenced to alleviate
transportation difficulties to and from the
regency’s capital. During the summer, this village is very dry and arid. As far as the eye can see, only savannas and dry, thorny bushes adorn the landscape. This condition has caused the Lamalera community to become dependent upon fisheries every year to sustain their lives.
regency’s capital. During the summer, this village is very dry and arid. As far as the eye can see, only savannas and dry, thorny bushes adorn the landscape. This condition has caused the Lamalera community to become dependent upon fisheries every year to sustain their lives.
Before the beginning of
hunting season, Lamalera villagers possess a tradition to carry out a
traditional culture ceremony as a means to request blessings from their
ancestors and pay respects to those who died at sea. The ceremonial process is
held every 1st
of May, signaling the beginning of the whale hunting season,
otherwise known as the “Lefa” season.
Whale hunting will normally
occur during the months of May-November, but occasionally it has also been
found to take place in December-April whenever a whale happens to pass through
the Sawu Sea. Thus making the Lefa season a special time of the year to go to
sea, and hunt whales, dolphins, sharks and various other sea mammals. Everyday
except Sundays during the Lefa season, the people of Lamalera will go out to
sea and hunt together.
As for the rest of the
year, the Lamalera society will traditionally produce salt, weave textiles, or
grow corn in the rocky arid surroundings. Whale hunting in Lamalera Village is
done traditionally. The people involved and equipments used in the process are :
- Peledang
Peledang is a name for the ship used for hunting
whales. The width of a peledang is 1.5 m with a length of about 7 m. In
constructing a peledang, the rule is that there must not be any metal
pins used to attach the pieces of wood. All parts of the boat must be made
using wood and enjoined by wooden pegs. Every peledang is designed
roofless to ease the task of watching whales while at sea.
- Tempuling
Tempuling is the name of the spearhead used to
thrust at the whales. This spearhead is made from metal
- Bamboo
A bamboo of 4 m in length is used as a
pole for the spearhead/ tempuling, and a grip to hold when thrusting at
a whale.
- Rope
The rope should be 50 m in length. One
end of the rope is tied on the tempuling and the other end is tied to
the ship/ peledang.
- Balafaing/Lamafa
Balafaing/Lamafa
is the name for the thruster, the most
significant person of the team who determines the success or failure of the
hunt.
- Matros
Matros are the ship’s crew whose main function
is to assist the lamafa/ thruster in the whole whaling process. In one
ship there should be at least 12 matros.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 : LARANTUKA
– LEWOLEBA – LAMALERA (L,D)
04:00 ; Starting from
Maumere to Laratuka. (Drive 4 hours)
04:00 : 07;30 : On driving
to Larantuka and see some happenings during trip to Larantuka
07:30–08:00 am : Our guide
will meet and greet the guests and prepare to boarding to Lewoleba, by Public
boat through Adonara and Solor Island with its natural beauty.
08:00–12:00 : Arrive at
Lewoleba Harbor. Upon arrival at Lewoleba harbor transfer to Berkat Lomblen
restaurant for Lunch.
12:00–14:00 pm : Lunch time.
14:00–18:00 : Drive to
Lamalera passing some Villages.
18:00 : Arrive at Lamalera.
We arrange with Welcome Ceremony and traditional welcome Dance. Overnights at
Home Stay in Lamalera.
19:00 : Dinner at home stay
at Lamalera
DAY 2 : FULL DAY EXPLORE LAMALERA (B,L,D)
“if you may be lucky you will see muscular
harpooners chasing the whale using the wooden canoe called "Pledang"
in which its sail is made of palm leaves”.
08:00 After having early breakfast, joint with
local fisherman for go to hunt the whale.
08 – 12:00 : Process hunt the whale with the
fisherman.
12:00 : Lunch time will be served on your boat.
12:00-15:00 : Process hunt the whale with the
fisherman.
16:00 : Late in the afternoon back to Home Stay.
17:00 : Free program until Dinner time.
19:00 : Dinner and overnight stay at Home Stay.
Hope fully they caught one on your arrival. If there is no Whale on the water surface, Local people
make a Demonstration or Attraction, starting with the opening ceremony until
the arrest of attractions. Back to home stay
DAY 3 : FULL DAY EXPLORE LAMALERA (B,L,D)
After having early breakfast, joint with local fisherman
for go to hunt the whale. Lunch will be
served on your boat.
08:00 After having early breakfast, joint with
local fisherman for go to hunt the whale.
08 – 12:00 : Process hunt the whale with the
fisherman.
12:00 : Lunch time will be served on your boat.
12:00-15:00 : Process hunt the whale with the
fisherman.
16:00 : Late in the afternoon back to Home Stay.
17:00 : Free program until Dinner time.
18:00 : Dinner and overnight stay at Home Stay.
19:00 : , local people
will present the local traditional dance, learning their history about Village,
culture, traditional whale hunting using local instruments
Hope fully they caught one on your arrival. If there is no Whale on the water surface, Local people
make a Demonstration or Attraction, starting with the opening ceremony until
the arrest of attractions. (Just in Case)
Today you still have free day, if you may be
luckily you will join again with the fisherman to hunt the whale.
DAY 4 : FULL DAY EXPLORE LAMALERA (B,L,D)
After having early breakfast, joint with local
fisherman for go to hunt the whale.
08:00 After having early breakfast, joint with
local fisherman for go to hunt the whale.
08 – 12:00 : Process hunt the whale with the
fisherman.
12:00 : Lunch time will be served on your boat.
12:00-15:00 : Process hunt the whale with the
fisherman.
16:00 : Late in the afternoon back to Home Stay.
17:00 : Free program until Dinner time.
19:00 : Dinner and overnight stay at Home Stay.
Hope fully they caught one on your arrival. If there is no Whale on the water surface, Local people
make a Demonstration or Attraction, starting with the opening ceremony until
the arrest of attractions. (Just in Case)
Today you still have free day, if you may be
luckily you will join again with the fisherman to hunt the whale.
DAY 5 : LAMALERA – LEWOLEBA – LARANTUKA - MAUMERE (B,L)
06:00 – 10:00 : Early wake up and having early breakfast,
Morning free until time to depart to Lewoleba
10:00 – 10:30 : Drive to harbor for boarding to
Larantuka.
10:30 – 13:30 Cruise to Larantuka
13:30 – 14:00 : Lunch at Local restaurant
14:00 ; Upon arrive at Larantuka, our guide will
pick them up and drive to Maumere
14:00 – 18:00 : Arrive in Maumere. Accommodation
and Dinner by own arrangements
PRICE
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Price including:
Transfers and tours with private Car as
per the itinerary
English speaking guide
Local Guide in Lamalera
Applicable entrance fees and donations
4 nights stay at Home Stay as above mentioned
(Standard Room)
Meals program as stated in the program
Free Sarong Souvenir for each clients upon
arrival at Lewoleba (“Welcome to Lamalera”)
Mineral water during Trip from to
Lamalera
Transfer from Larantuka – Maumere on
last day
Welcome drink upon arrival
21% Government tax & Services
Does not include:
Visa On Arrival at USD 25 per person
Accommodation and transfers in Bali
Airport tax
Domestic flight ticket Denpasar –
Maumere – Denpasar
Transport from Maumere – Larantuka on
first day
Extra meals or drinks
Other personal expenses such as laundry;
telephone use; minibar; etc
Tipping
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