Indonesian traditional Lamalera whaling village: last of the great ocean hunters

By Elspeth Callender
Updated October 12 2015 - 3:28am, first published October 11 2015 - 12:15am
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender
Villagers take part in a simulated whale hunt, or koteklema. Photo: Elspeth Callender

The main path from the beach to the heart of the village is lined with semi-dried strips of blubbery meat draped on simple wooden frames. Colourful fabric triangles flap in the sea breeze from the top of stripped branches staked into hefty sun-whitened vertebrae.

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