Bale Nagi: Answering the Call of Ancestors

In the heart of East Nusa Tenggara province, diverse tribes create a tapestry woven with customs, traditions, and flavours unique to each. Yet, the limelight often falls on more dominant Indonesian groups, leaving our cultural identity in shadows. To many across the nation, our culture, rituals, and local culinary treasures remain a mystery. While we relish a diet rich in sorghum and corn, government aid consistently delivers rice, mistakenly associating rice scarcity with poverty while neglecting our culinary heritage. One misunderstood aspect of our culture stands out — our deep-rooted tradition of alcohol consumption. This practice is woven into the social fabric of the Lamaholot tribe and many other tribes in East Nusa Tenggara. Yet, it is often misconstrued through the lens of broader Indonesian norms, leading to misconceptions. This highlights the urgency for a deeper appreciation of our distinct cultural intricacies. <a href="https://medium.com/@marthaweruing/bale-nagi-answering-the-call-of-ancestors-300c88a6530d">Read More</a>