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SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2014 • [email protected] • www.thepeninsulaqatar.com • 4455 7741 inside EU launches CAMPUS Sentinel • Dash the Dolphin launches Doha College’s new campus space project fundraising campaign P | 4 P 10 | BOOKS • 10 best selling books • The forgotten lessons of 1945 P | 7 FILM • Chris Evans on Captain America and handling fame P | 8-9 HEALTH • Mom was right: Eat LOTS of veggies P | 11 TECHNOLOGY • Facebook, Google and HORSEBACK BATTLE Apple data centres getting greener: Report SUMBA P | 12 Learn Arabic Two teams of tribesmen on horseback charge at each • Learn commonly used Arabic words other hurling bamboo spears in a thousand-year-old and their meanings ritual on the Indonesian island of Sumba that is now at the centre of a tourism drive. P | 13 2 PLUS | SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2014 COVER STORY Indonesian island sees future in age-old horseback battle By Angela Dewan although accidental deaths do occasionally occur. wo teams of tribesmen The spectacle attracts few on horseback charge foreign tourists — only around at each other hurling 10 were at the recent pasola Tbamboo spears in a in Ratenggaro and up to 100 thousand-year-old ritual on normally attend larger ones. the Indonesian island of Sumba But now officials are hoping to aimed at producing a prosperous use it to boost the economy of the rice harvest. desperately poor island, which is Spectators, their mouths dependent on subsistence rice and reddened from chewing betel corn farming and woven rattan nut, scream them on from goods that yield few profits. the sidelines of the show in “It’s a major attraction and has Ratenggaro village, reaching for huge potential for development,” their machetes when a rider is said Bona Fantura Rumat, struck at close range and the from the tourism board of East referee calls foul play. Nusa Tenggara province, which The annual “pasola” — which includes Sumba. comes from the word “spear” Despite its pristine beaches, in a local tribal language — azure seas and traditional takes place over four weeks in villages, last year Sumba February and March in western attracted around 2,500 tourists Sumba, an island in the centre — compared to more than three of the sprawling Indonesian million who visited the nearby archipelago. resort island of Bali. Traditionally it was a barely Rumat said plans are afoot disguised form of human to promote the pasola more, sacrifice in which tribesmen improve infrastructure by would aim to spill each building better roads and start other’s blood onto the fields. flights to more destinations in It has evolved into a mock-up Indonesia to make Sumba easier of such battles and people to reach, as well as to Darwin in are not usually badly hurt, northern Australia. PLUS | SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2014 3 Adapting tradition The ritual itself has already been adapted to make it more palatable to visitors. In the past it would typically end with a field drenched in human and horse blood, and it was a great honour for local villagers to die while taking part. At the recent Ratenggaro pasola, no one reported much more than a scratch and the villagers now use blood solely from sacrificed animals, instead of a mix of human and animal blood as they did in the past. Before the pasola, men in a darkened hut chopped off the heads of chickens, draining their blood into buckets as a mystic chanted. The spears have also been blunted and metal tips removed. In Ratenggaro, policemen armed with rifles ensured that no one was hacked to death — although a minor punch-up still ensued. There have also been changes in the planning of the event. It traditionally only began the day after a certain type of sea- worm swam to the shore — which signified the end of wet season and the beginning of crop planting — but now elders decide on the date in advance so tourists have “If there is anyone who takes steps to be taken to attract more every ounce of local culture out the enough time to plan their trips. part in the pasola with an unclean people to the pasola, “as long as window,” said Swedish backpacker They still collect the worms, how- heart, then harm will come to it’s developed with respect to our Christoffer Kullman, 26, who was at ever — the more there are the better them,” said Ratenggaro village culture”. the Ratenggaro pasola. the harvest — and the slimy blue and elder Agustinus Pandak, wearing For many foreigners who do make His travel companion, Linus green creatures are cooked into patty a bright orange weaving wrapped the journey to Sumba, the island’s Strandholm, experienced at first- cakes. around his head. underdeveloped tourism industry is hand that the modern version of the Risk of swift Westernisation “They might fall off their horse, precisely what they like about it. pasola is not entirely safe — he was Despite the changes, many be hurt when struck by a spear. But “If it develops, I hope they go struck in the chest by a spear and Sumbanese believe the pasola is still this won’t happen if the rider is at for dirt-cheap accommodation and hit in the head with a rock. as spiritually rich as ever and have peace with himself and his heart is luxury resorts, because anything “I’ve saved the rock as a souvenir,” given a cautious welcome to the idea full of love,” he said. in between you’ll get a mass appeal he said, adding it was all part of the of increasing tourism. Pandak added he was happy for and swift Westernisation, pushing experience. AFP 4 PLUS | SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2014 CAMPUS Dash the Dolphin launches Doha College’s new campus fundraising campaign oha College officially launched its commu- programme explained: “We were delighted to nity fundraising plans with mascot Dash welcome the Doha College students to VCUQatar Dthe Dolphin at the recent Spring Fayre. to help them plan and create a pattern to make Dash is the new mascot for the Doha College New Dash come to life. Some of our undergraduates Campus Fundraising Campaign. He will attend attended Doha College so it was great for them public events at Doha College asking for help in to be engaged with current students and meet a his goal to raise awareness and financial support few of their previous teachers. Our undergradu- for Doha College’s New Campus. ates were excited to be passing on their skills Dash was created following a student competi- and knowledge.” tion to create a mascot to launch the fundraising Mark Leppard Principal of Doha College said: plans. Over 400 entries were received and the “Fundraising for our New Campus involves all winning design was created by Kristen Halladay our students and community, we need everyone aged 8. The judges chose Dash as the winner to take part in this campaign. Setting a mascot as they were impressed with Kristen’s ration- design competition and involving our second- ale for choosing a dolphin. As Kristen explained ary students in the pattern design and creation “dolphins are social, they live in happy, friendly with VCUQatar fashion undergraduates we hope communities and are fun and intelligent.” The the whole design and creation process has been judges felt this was an excellent interpretation of fun and informative. We are very grateful to the sense of community that is encouraged and VCUQatar for their support in bringing Dash fostered within Doha College. to life.” Fashion under-graduates from VCUQatar Dash made his first public appearance at the helped Doha College secondary students create Doha College Spring Fayre where he helped raise a pattern for Dash so a local tailor could then awareness and support for the New Campus com- make the life-size mascot. munity fundraising campaign. Dash and Kristen Sandra Wilkins, Chair of Fashion Design The Peninsula Aspire Academy works with Compass International School Al Khor for training students ompass International School, Al Khor, is work- Cing closely with Aspire Academy, providing an educational and sporting opportunity for Qatari students in Al Khor. Two coaches from the sport- ing academy, Kevin Wishart and Carl Broome, have been working with the children in after school multi skills sessions twice a week. These lessons involve combining learning with exercise and training. According to Richard Tremere from the acad- emy: “The programme at CISAK provides a range of sports and multi-skill activities to help develop the all-round young athlete. It’s part of Aspire’s national programme for talent development which provides high quality coaching and includes talent identification activities.” programme. The feedback from the Al Khor com- visiting and in a short time; we’ve seen improve- The Principal of CISAK, Robert Graves, said: munity and the CISAK parenting body has been ments in their physical abilities and positive atti- “CISAK is in the process of reaching out to local tremendous.” tude towards sport.” organisations. Aspire’s national programme for Tremere said: “The partnership with CISAK The sessions are open to children in Grades 5 development is a nationwide initiative to pro- is a great opportunity for Aspire to provide high and 6, for more information contact email kevin. pel Qatar onto the international sporting arena quality coaching for the children living in Al Khor. [email protected] and CISAK feels privileged to be a part of this The children are always excited about Aspire The Peninsula DMIS clinches medals at SOP Doha Modern Indian School participated in the School Olympic Program organised by the Supreme Education Council in partnership with Qatar Olympic Committee with the objective of promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyle among school students.

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