Three Mountains Festival ‘W a i H u m b a I I I’ Follow-up Activity of Ecology Program
Thursday, 16 October 2014by adminstube
The word 'Sumba' or 'Humba' actually means water. It is proven by all the names of major regions in Sumba which has become the capital of the district begin with the word 'Wai or Wee' having water meaning. For example, Waingapu, the East Sumba district capital, Waibakul, the Central Sumba Waibakul district capital, Waikabubak, the West Sumba district capital and Waitabula/Weetabula, the South West Sumba district capital.
Ironically, the physical development in Sumba often forgets, even destroys the water existence that is actually the identity of Sumba itself as developments have reached Three Mountain region. This area is the main and largest water supplier in Sumba island, consisting of Mount Wanggameti (East Sumba), Mount Tanadaru (Central Sumba and West Sumba) and Mount Yawila (Southwest Sumba).
Three Mountain Festival called Wai Humba in Sumba language, is a new alternative approach to make people closer to the Creator and environment, especially water. This year, East Sumba is the host of Wai Humba Festival III held on October 9 - 12, 2014. This event was carried out in Ramuk village, Pinu Pahar, East Sumba.
The activities done in the festival are Mass climbing on Mount Wanggameti, Art and culture performance from various regions in Sumba, Reforestation (Stube-HEMAT Sumba), Pahamang (culture discussion), Ecumenical worship and Thanksgiving offerings in river as pahamang (agreement) in Three Mountains Festival 'Wai Humba' 2014.
In fact, this festival is an effort to preserve Sumba culture in the context of natural preservation and protection from destruction, as well as an opportunity for thanks-giving to the creator and ancestors who have instilled many natural wisdoms.
Furthermore, this festival is a form of creativity developed from Sumbanese habit, namely 'Kalarat Wai.' Kalarat Wai is a religious activity by praying on water resources in Sumba island. It is a form of gratitude to the creator for abundant water and also a prayer to the creator to give water as gift for Sumbanese. (IGA).