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| Tuan Ma statue |
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Semana Santa or Holy Week is an annual festivity celebrated in
Larantuka since 16th century. It is the week preceding Hari Bae,
well-known as Easter Sunday. Thousands of pilgrims from around the world
come to this town for this event. There are many processions and
devotion sites which are closed for a year are opened during Semana
Santa. All of the activities center in Reinha Rosari Cathedral.The celebration begins on Palm Sunday and culminates on the Good
Friday. Pilgrims from outside of town start coming on Wednesday and more
on Thursday when the ferry from Kupang anchores at Larantuka harbor.
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| Queue in Tuan Ana Chapel |
Many people do tikam turo which means setting wooden poles for
candles on either side of the road along the procession path. After a
year of closing, Kapela Tuan Ma (Lord the Mother Chapel), Kapela Tuan
Ana (Lord the Son Chapel), Kapela Senhor (Standing Lord Chapel) and
Mgr. Gabriel Manek sanctuary are opened. Pilgrims begin queuing in front
of these sites for devotion. Larantuka becomes busy, but still calm.
There are no shouting, roughly speaking or get angry despite stinging
sun rays.
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| Tuan Meninu procession in Gonzalu Strait |
There are several processions on Good Friday which lead to Good
Friday service in the Cathedral. It commences with a marine procession
accompanying the cross of Tuan Meninu (Lord the Baby) along Gonzalu
Strait. Thousands of pilgrims in boats, ships, vessels and ferry fill
the strait while the other thousands of pilgrims stand along the beach.
It’s a spectacular marine procession.
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| Procession toward Cathedral before Good Friday Service |
The ritual continues with a parade of Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues, several liturgy equipment, officers and congregation march along the
streets of Larantuka towards the Cathedral before Goodt Friday service. A
candlelight procession around the city is the peak. People walk and
ruminate Christ misery along the street. Silence, pray and meditative
chanting alternately fill the air. Nobody talks, nobody sleeps till the
procession ends on Saturday 01.30 AM in the Cathedral.
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| Candlelight procession at Good Friday night |
Semana Santa is a pilgrimage for remembering God’s masterpiece in
Larantuka hundreds years ago. Enriched with local tradition, history and
culture, it’s is a unique event you must experience in Flores
Do you want to go pilgrimage next year? Will you celebrate Holy Week in Larantuka? Let's get lost in Flores with us.
