Festival Bale Nagi

About The Event

The Bale Nagi Festival was born from the homecoming tradition (bale nagi) surrounding Semana Santa, a unique and globally recognized religious rite. In Portuguese, Semana Santa means Holy Week, commemorating the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The traditions of migration and returning home ahead of Easter have been practiced for centuries in East Flores Regency.

This festival has become a gathering event for the people of Nagi (the native community of Larantuka City), all residents of East Flores Regency (the Lamaholot tribe), and other ethnic groups who reside in East Flores. In addition to the diaspora, during Semana Santa week, the city of Larantuka is typically filled with local and international visitors (pilgrims).

Interestingly, these pilgrims are not only Catholics but come from various religions and ethnicities. Thus, it’s no surprise that the Bale Nagi Festival also serves as an opportunity to showcase East Flores' many natural attractions and the cultural arts of the Lamaholot people.