Flores Island, in eastern Indonesia, is known for its stunning landscapes and unique culture. While the sights like Komodo National Park and Kelimutu Lake are top attractions, Flores is also famous for its festivals. These festivals give you a chance to dive into traditions that have been preserved for centuries, from local rituals to big spiritual celebrations. Each festival on Flores is not just an event but also a reflection of the people’s lives, who honor their heritage and beliefs. Celebrating everything from nature’s abundance to religious rituals, these festivals are a way to experience the island’s culture while exploring its history. Whether you’re an adventurer, a culture lover or just looking for a different side of Indonesia, Flores festivals will be an unforgettable experience.
Where Is Flores Island?
Flores Island is east of Bali, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It’s in the East Nusa Tenggara province and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Flores Sea to the north. While its natural beauty is undeniable—with green hills, white beaches and Kelimutu Lake—Flores is also home to a rich culture. The island is inhabited by several ethnic groups, each with their own language, traditions and festivals. These traditions have been passed down through generations and are an important part of the island’s identity.
What makes Flores unique is its ability to preserve the old customs. Unlike some parts of Indonesia that have moved fast towards modernity, Flores still holds on to its historical and cultural roots. The island’s festivals celebrate spiritual beliefs, agriculture and communal life, making it the best place to see Indonesia’s culture in its purest form.
Festivals on Flores Island show how important these traditions are to the local communities and will give you a deeper understanding of their colorful and meaningful way of life.
Flores Island Festivals
The festivals on Flores are part of the daily lives of its people. These celebrations give you a glimpse into the island’s culture, beliefs and history, with each festival showcasing a different aspect of tradition. Flores’ festivals are the spirit of its people, closely tied to nature and their spirituality. From religious ceremonies to harvest festivals, here are some of the cultural events you must see on Flores Island.
1. Komodo Culture Festival
The Komodo Culture Festival is one of the biggest cultural festivals on Flores, held annually in Labuan Bajo. This festival celebrates the culture of the people of Flores, especially the Komodo people who live around the Komodo National Park area. During the festival you can see traditional dances, music performances and art markets with local handicrafts.
The festival also includes competitions and activities with the local community, such as traditional boat races and cultural games. Plus, the festival is a great opportunity for tourists to get closer to the local way of life and learn about the history and traditions of the Komodo people and the natural beauty of Labuan Bajo. The Komodo Culture Festival is a mix of culture and nature that you can enjoy together.
2. Golo Koe Festival
The Golo Koe Festival is one of the most sacred religious festivals on Flores, in Labuan Bajo. This festival was first organized by the local community to celebrate their faith and culture, to strengthen the relationship between people and nature. The highlight of the festival is the procession of the Bunda Maria Assumpta Nusantara Golo Koe statue, a symbol of devotion to the Virgin Mary, believed to bring blessings and protection to the community.
During the celebration the Catholic people of Labuan Bajo wear traditional Manggarai attire, such as songke (a traditional skirt), white shirts, shawls and other accessories, adding to the festivity of the festival. The statue is carried in a pinisi boat, a traditional Indonesian vessel, through the beautiful waters of Labuan Bajo. The procession starts at Marina Waterfront Harbor, where thousands of people gather to begin the journey. They then proceed to the Golo Koe Cave, about seven kilometers away, a sacred site for the local Catholic community.
3. Reba Bena Ceremony
The Reba Bena Ceremony is one of the most sacred and respected festivals on Flores, in the village of Bena, Ngada region. Every year the Bena community holds this ceremony to mark the start of the planting season and to honor their ancestral spirits who are believed to give blessings to their lives. This ceremony is not just a religious ritual but also a symbol of the connection between people and nature and respect for their ancestors who are thought to protect their way of life.
During the Reba Bena Ceremony the people of Bena perform sacred rituals, including prayers and offerings of food and livestock to the ancestral spirits as a sign of gratitude and to ask for blessings. The main ritual is the offering of food and livestock to deities and spirits as it is believed that good agricultural yields can only be obtained with their blessing.
Read more: Flores Island Traditional Villages: Discover the Culture and Traditions of Flores
4. Semana Santa Larantuka Ceremony
Semana Santa Larantuka is one of the most important and sacred religious festivals on Flores, held annually in Larantuka, the capital of East Flores. The festival commemorates the Easter events in the Catholic tradition with a series of impressive processions. Semana Santa in Larantuka is famous for the procession of saint statues which are carried around the town accompanied by prayers, songs and Catholic music, creating a very spiritual atmosphere.
Semana Santa is not just a religious event but also a way to celebrate the cultural diversity of Flores. The processions which start from Holy Thursday Mass and continue until Good Friday and Easter Sunday are full of meaningful rituals and symbolism. One of the most striking moments is the Saint Statue Procession where beautifully decorated statues are paraded through the streets of Larantuka with thousands of people wearing traditional clothing.
Visitors, local and international, can experience the spiritual atmosphere and enjoy the beauty of the local culture reflected in every part of the procession. This festival has become a major religious tourism attraction where tourists can witness the blend of religious traditions and the culture of Flores.
5. Etu or Sagi Festival
The Etu or Sagi festival is a well preserved and respected cultural tradition of the Ngada and Nagekeo communities on Flores. In Soa it’s called Sagi and in Nagekeo it’s called Etu, both mean “fight” or “combat”. Originally Sagi or Etu was a war training for warriors in ancient times but over time it evolved into a harvest thanksgiving.
Unlike modern boxing, the participants in Sagi or Etu wear special gloves called Ta’i Kolo made from palm fiber sticks bonded with palm tree gum, sometimes with glass flakes added and wrapped with cloth. The fighters, called Ata Sagi, compete while surrounded by bamboo music and local songs. The blood that is shed during the match is seen as a sign of blessing for the year’s crops and is met with gratitude.
6. Kelimutu Lake Festival
The Kelimutu Lake Festival is an annual event held near Kelimutu Lake, one of Flores’ most popular tourist destinations. The lake is famous for its three colored waters which attract visitors from all over the world. This festival not only celebrates the beauty of Kelimutu Lake but also honors the ancestral spirits believed to reside in the lake.
During the festival various cultural and traditional events take place including dances, music and rituals related to nature worship and the spirits of the ancestors. The locals perform rituals to honor the spirits believed to inhabit the lake and to ask for safety and prosperity for their lives. For tourists the Kelimutu Lake Festival is a rare opportunity to enjoy the area while learning more about the myths and stories surrounding the lake.
7. Penti Ceremony
The Penti Ceremony is a sacred festival held annually by the Manggarai people in Wae Rebo Village, Flores as a gratitude for the harvest and a prayer for the new agricultural year. The ceremony also marks the changing of seasons and the passing of the year, honoring Mori Jari Dedek (God) and the spirits of their ancestors. The festival brings together the entire village including those living far away to celebrate the blessings of life and nature.
The ceremony starts with Podo Tenggeng in the morning to avoid hunger and misfortune. The main ceremony includes Barong Wae, Barong Oka, and Roi Boa where gifts are offered at Rumah Gendang and a spring to invite the spirits to join the celebration. The festival is also highlighted by Caci, a traditional martial art where two men fight with whips and shields. Sanda songs are sung without instruments throughout the night until morning as a tribute to the spirits of their ancestors. Penti is a time to celebrate unity, gratitude and maintain the spiritual connection with nature and their ancestors.
Read more: The Best Time to Visit Flores Island
Flores Island, Indonesia with Komodo Luxury
The festivals on Flores Island are a golden opportunity to dive into the rich culture and tradition that has been around for centuries. From religious celebrations to unique traditional ceremonies, each festival represents the spirit of the people of Flores in preserving and celebrating their heritage.
After exploring Flores and experiencing its festivals, don’t miss to visit Komodo Island. No trip to Flores is complete without seeing the Komodo dragons. With Komodo Island Tour by Komodo Luxury, you’ll sail to Komodo National Park on a luxurious phinisi boat with all the amenities you need. So, what are you waiting for? Book your unforgettable trip to Flores and Komodo Island with Komodo Luxury now and enjoy a unique experience cruising on a phinisi, exploring the national park and witnessing festivals that will make your adventure in Indonesia unforgettable!
