In South Nias, the locals practice a war dance called Faluaya (or Fataele) dance.
In this dance, the dancers wore colorful clothing consists of black, yellow and red, fitted with a crown on the head.
Like a knight in battle, dancers also carry Baluse (shields), swords and spears as a means of defense from enemy attack.
The Baluse that were used are made of wood shaped like banana leaves and are held on the left hand which serves to deflect enemy attacks, while the sword or spear in the right hand serves to counter enemy attacks.
Both of these weapons are the main weapons used for fighting by a Nias knight.

In those days, young men in the village were required to leap over the rock of 2 meters in height during the Fahombo (or Hombo Batu) ceremony in order to attain adulthood.
This would also signify that those men are able to protect and to defend their village once achieving adulthood.
Therefore, the Si'ulu (village head) would form a Fataele team and recruit these men.

In the past, the Nias people were feared for their headhunting practices.
It is believed that the victims of headhunting will become their servants in the afterlife.
Today, headhunting are no longer practiced as majority of the Nias population are Protestant Christians.
In South Nias, the locals practice a war dance called Faluaya (or Fataele) dance. In this dance, the dancers wore colorful clothing consists of black, yellow and red, fitted with a crown on the head. Like a knight in battle, dancers also carry Baluse (shields), swords and spears as a means of defense from enemy attack. The Baluse that were used are made of wood shaped like banana leaves and are held on the left hand which serves to deflect enemy attacks, while the sword or spear in the right hand serves to counter enemy attacks. Both of these weapons are the main weapons used for fighting by a Nias knight.
In those days, young men in the village were required to leap over the rock of 2 meters in height during the Fahombo (or Hombo Batu) ceremony in order to attain adulthood. This would also signify that those men are able to protect and to defend their village once achieving adulthood. Therefore, the Si'ulu (village head) would form a Fataele team and recruit these men.
In the past, the Nias people were feared for their headhunting practices. It is believed that the victims of headhunting will become their servants in the afterlife. Today, headhunting are no longer practiced as majority of the Nias population are Protestant Christians.
Balato (sword)