The novel chronicles the lives of the people of Southwest Sumba, who are heavily influenced by the annual celebrations of Bau Nyale - the catching of sea worms at dawn - followed by the Pasola, an equestrian dexterity competition that involves throwing blunted javelins to unhorse opponents It is a story with strong cultural elements set in Indonesia’s old-society background of the 1950s. Pasola is a journey into the values of family unity, kindness, and the importance of education.