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Indonesia - Lembata - Lamalera - Whale Hunters

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„Ba leo, Ba leo! – Carry the rope!“ (call for the Lamalerans to set off for a whale hunt) - Once a whale is spotted, there is a mad sprint to the beach where the traditional Paledang boats will be immediately taken to the sea once the clans reached shore.

This is the crew of Petrus Glau Blikolulong „Papa Petro“ – a highly respected Lamafa for 21 years. Experienced Lamafa like Papa Petro enjoy the tremendous appreciation of the whole village, as they shoulder a weighty responsibility for the community. The Lamafa tradition is handed over within the 10 clans, though within the main family if possible. „Usu Teti Lepe Hau – I come from Lepe island“, is written on the whale-craft. The name refers to a real island where their ancestors have dropped anchor hundreds of years ago before eventually settling in Lamalera. They might have fancied a life on Lepe, but the island disappeard because of a Tusnami. Whilst we’re being dragged from the Johnson, Papa Petrus persistently sharpens the hook until he claims it to be spicky enough and stuffs it onto the 4 meter long bamboo cane. When being close enough - we let go the rope which connects us to the engine-powered boat and approach the giant by rowing as to remain in long-established boundaries. Eyes on the now appearing black back of the toothed predator, we are slowly inching forward. Then there is this flawless silence, as the whale’s side seem to be close enough – Having the harpoon ready, Papa Petro awaits the right moment, and finally leaps off, using the force of his own body weight and the iron tip of the bamboo harpoon to pierce the thick skin of the sperm whale. If the Lamafa is successful, the boat will be connected to the whale by a „Leo“ at the end of the harpoon.

Petrus pierced the whale’s flesh, but its tail somehow shook off the harpoon – Thus the wounded whale contrived to escape and is now on the loose. The Johnson crew hurries back and we start chasing the whale once again.

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Indonesia-Lembata-Lamalera-174.jpg
Copyright
Claudio Sieber
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4461x2978 / 7.9MB
Contained in galleries
Indonesia - Lembata - Lamalera
„Ba leo, Ba leo! – Carry the rope!“ (call for the Lamalerans to set off for a whale hunt) - Once a whale is spotted, there is a mad sprint to the beach where the traditional Paledang boats will be immediately taken to the sea once the clans reached shore. <br /> <br /> This is the crew of Petrus Glau Blikolulong „Papa Petro“ – a highly respected Lamafa for 21 years. Experienced Lamafa like Papa Petro enjoy the tremendous appreciation of the whole village, as they shoulder a weighty responsibility for the community. The Lamafa tradition is handed over within the 10 clans, though within the main family if possible. „Usu Teti Lepe Hau – I come from Lepe island“, is written on the whale-craft. The name refers to a real island where their ancestors have dropped anchor hundreds of years ago before eventually settling in Lamalera. They might have fancied a life on Lepe, but the island disappeard because of a Tusnami. Whilst we’re being dragged from the Johnson, Papa Petrus persistently sharpens the hook until he claims it to be spicky enough and stuffs it onto the 4 meter long bamboo cane. When being close enough - we let go the rope which connects us to the engine-powered boat and approach the giant by rowing as to remain in long-established boundaries. Eyes on the now appearing black back of the toothed predator, we are slowly inching forward. Then there is this flawless silence, as the whale’s side seem to be close enough – Having the harpoon ready, Papa Petro awaits the right moment, and finally leaps off, using the force of his own body weight and the iron tip of the bamboo harpoon to pierce the thick skin of the sperm whale. If the Lamafa is successful, the boat will be connected to the whale by a „Leo“ at the end of the harpoon. <br /> <br /> Petrus pierced the whale’s flesh, but its tail somehow shook off the harpoon – Thus the wounded whale contrived to escape and is now on the loose. The Johnson crew hurries back and we start chasing the whale once again.