T

housands of Catholic pilgrims have started arriving in Larantuka, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to attend Good Friday celebrations in the province.

Most of the pilgrims hail from the western region of Flores as well as various areas in Indonesia, including four journalists from Portugal who wished to cover the unique Semana Santa procession.

The Holy Week procession is organized annually at the Reinha Rosari Cathedral in Larantuka, also dubbed Reinha Rosaria city.

East Flores Regent Yoseph Lagadoni Herin said his administration, alongside church authorities, commemorates the Semana Santa every year. The procession has been celebrated by Larantuka residents since 1599.

The religious ritual is carried out by the church, while the regency administration serves as the facilitator for guests, including domestic and foreign visitors as well as guests from the central government and provincial administration.

East Flores regency spokesman Aloysius Sory Didimus Parera said the uniqueness of the Semana Santa procession was based on respect for Jesus Christ and Mother Mary.

A casket, believed to contain the body of Jesus, is carried by pallbearers around Larantuka city, followed by the statue of Mother Mary and Mater Dolorosa, which Larantuka residents call Tuan Ma.

“The procession is part of the attraction among spiritual travelers when they visit Reinha Rosaria city,” said Parera.

He added that for native Larantuka residents, or people from the Nagi indigenous community, the ritual, which has been carried out for the past five centuries, is associated with Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection.

They call it Hari Bae, because the auspicious days have a deep meaning and significance in the lives of the Nagi tribe, as they believe the days are abundant with blessings from heaven.

“Through devotional activities, members of the Nagi community express their gratitude while cleansing themselves with penance, meditation and charity, from Lent until Holy Week reaches its peak on Easter Sunday, or Jesus’ resurrection,” said Parera.

He added that during Lent, the Nagi prepare themselves for Holy Week. They pray at the Tuan Ma chapel under the coordination of the Ama Koten ruler.

The hotels and lodgings in Larantuka are always packed with visitors on their spiritual journey.

Foreign visitors usually book their hotel reservations a year before the event.

Larantuka has a limited number of inns to accommodate pilgrims during Holy Week.

“We have spruced up Reinha Rosari city and homes have been decorated to greet the pilgrims who wish to join the Semana Santa procession,” Yoseph Lagadoni Herin said.

He expressed hope the Tourism Ministry would intervene by building a number of homestays in Larantuka due to the limited number of lodgings.

So far, state guests have had to stay at the regent, vice regent and regency secretary official residences and even the homes of civil servants.