Types of Dance and music in Tana Toraja

Ma'badong a ritual where a group of men and women form a circle and sing a monotonous chant throughout the night to honor the deceased.

in fact, Torajans perform dances on various occasions. some dances could be performed on both rambu tuka' or rambu solo'. The aluk religion governs when and how Torajans dance. Ma'bua is a major Toraja ceremony in which priests wear a buffalo head and dance around a sacred tree. This dance can be performed only once every 12 years.

Dance is very important during their elaborate funeral ceremonies. They dance to express their grief, and to honor and even cheer the deceased person because he is going to have a long journey in the afterlife.

Ma'badong is considered by many Torajans to be the most important component of the funeral ceremony. On the second funeral day, the Ma'randing warrior dance is performed to praise the courage of the deceased during life. Several men perform the dance with a sword, a large shield made from buffalo skin, a helmet with a buffalo horn, and other ornamentation. The Ma'randing dance precedes a procession in which the deceased is carried from a rice barn to the rante, the site of the funeral ceremony. During the funeral, elder women perform the Ma'katia dance while singing a poetic song and wearing a long feathered costume. The Ma'akatia dance is performed to remind the audience of the generosity and loyalty of the deceased person. After the bloody ceremony of buffalo and pig slaughter, a group of boys and girls clap their hands while performing a cheerful dance called Ma'dondan.

As in other agricultural societies, Torajans dance and sing during harvest time. The Ma'bugi dance celebrates the thanksgiving event, and the Ma'gandangi dance is performed while Torajans are pounding rice. There are several war dances, such as the Manimbong dance performed by men, followed by the Ma'dandan dance performed by women.

A traditional musical instrument of the Toraja is a bamboo flute called a Pa'suling (suling is an Indonesian word for flute). This six-holed flute (not unique to the Toraja) is played at many dances, such as the thanksgiving dance Ma'bondensan, where the flute accompanies a group of shirtless, dancing men with long fingernails. The Toraja also have indigenous musical instruments, such as the Pa'pelle (made from palm leaves) and the Pa'karombi (the Torajan version of a Jew's harp). The Pa'pelle is played during harvest time and at house inauguration ceremonies.

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The origin of Toraja ethnic

The name Toraja is from To-ri-aja, it's mean "men of the mountains", the name that was given by the Bugis to the people who live on the mountains in the north of the southwest peninsula of Sulawesi.

Doctrines

The traditional religion of the Torajan people called Aluk To Dolo. To means "people", Dolo means "bygone," so the religion is "belief of the old" or "rituals of the ancestors." The religion is a complex mixture of ancestor cult, myth, and ritual. Aluk To Dolo was originally divided probably equally between a life half and a death half. The life half concerned fertility and was forbidden by the Christian missionaries, thus making the death half and the funeral of more importance as this was acceptable to the Church.
a priest knowing tribal lore and history, In major rituals the "to minaa", will recites a long litany of the origin of the tribe. The cosmos is divided into the upper world, the world of man, and the underworld. At first heaven and earth were married together and there was darkness, then came separation and light. From the marriage emerged gods. Puang Matua, " the old lord," is the god of heaven and the main deity while Pong Banggai di Rante, "the master of the plains," is the god of earth. Pong Tulak Padang carries the earth in the palms of his hands and with Puang Matua he maintains the equilibrium of earth and separates day and night. But his bad-tempered wife Indo' Ongon-ongon can cause earthquakes and upset the equilibrium. Another feared god is Pong Lalondong, "the lord who is a cock," who judges the dead. Between heaven and earth is Gaun ti Kembong, "the swollen cloud." The goddess of medicine is Indo' Belo Tumbang, "the lady who dances beautifully." There are other gods in the upper world and the underworld, and on earth there are deata, deities and ghosts, that live in rivers, wells, trees, and stones.
Man's role is to help maintain equilibrium between the upper world and the underworld by rituals. There are two divisions of rituals. The Rambu Tuka, the Rising Sun or Smoke Ascending rituals are associated with the north and east, with joy and life. This includes rituals for birth, marriage, health, the house, the community, and rice. The Rambu Solo', the Setting Sun or Smoke Descending rituals are associated with the south and west, with darkness, night, and death. Healing rituals partake of both divisions. The most important Rambu Tuka ritual is the Bua' feast in which the buraka, a priestess or hermaphrodite priest, petitions the gods of heaven to look after the community. The Merok feast is for the benefit of a large family. Rambu Solo' rituals include great death feasts at funerals conducted by the death priest. These funerals are now the main feature of Toraja religion. Display of wealth is important for Torajans believe they will live in the afterworld as they do on earth, and the souls of sacrificed animals will follow their masters to heaven.
The afterworld is Puya, "the land of souls," which is to the southwest under the earth. By a lavish death feast the deceased will reach Puya. He is judged by Pong Lalondong and then climbs a mountain to reach heaven, where he joins the deified ancestors as a constellation which guards mankind and the rice.

History
The to minaa priest recites the origin of the Toraja at important rituals. After telling of how the cosmos and the gods came into being, he recounts that the to manurum, the first nobleman, descended from heaven bringing with him food plants and animals. He also brought a heavenly house and slaves and the complete social order. This included various types of priests, the to minaa, the to buraka, who is the highest religious functionary, the rice priest, and the medicine priest. But the important death priest is not mentioned. In Torajan history there were several descents of a nobleman.
Legend, however, says that the Torajans originally came from Cambodia, arriving in a storm from the northern seas. They used their battered boats as roofs of their houses.
Until the coming of missionaries in the nineteenth century the Torajans lived in almost complete isolation, one of the fiercest and most remote people in Indonesia. Coffee growing was introduced in the last quarter of the century and this began the process of social change. It was only in 1905-6 that the Dutch gained control over the Torajan mountains. They brought many changes to Torajan life and religion. Before the Dutch the people lived in fortified villages on the top of hills. They were moved to the valleys and agriculture was expanded, taxes and Christianity introduced. Before Dutch and mission schools the people knew only an oral tradition. Fertility aspects of the religion were stopped, as was the practice of offering freshly severed human heads at the end of a funeral. Buffalo were substituted for the human heads and these are raised on a large scale for ritual purposes, as a major death feast needs a sacrifice of about a hundred buffalo.
Further change came to the Torajans with the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 and with the independence of Indonesia in 1945.
Despite the spread of Christianity and some Islam, there is still very strong culture, village ritual. But rituals can be mixed in with Christian practice, often in a fantastic way. For example, at The Feast of the Dead people attend church and afterwards buffalo are sacrificed.
Tourism has developed rapidly in recent years with package tours coming from France, Italy, and other countries. Tourists are mainly interested in seeing the lavish funerals and the government is encouraging the Torajans to spread the funerals through the year so that more tourists come. The government is trying to reduce the number of sacrifices at funerals by charging a local tax for animals killed past a certain number.

Symbols
Houses are shaped like boats and all face north, symbolising the legend of the origin of the Torajans as coming by sea from Cambodia in the north.
Symbols of fertility are very significant in the religion despite the efforts of the missionaries. Most important is the buffalo, which the Torajans worship as a fertility cult figure. In dances headdresses of buffalo horn or symbolic horns are worn. At the Mabua ceremony held every twelve years, priests with buffalo headdresses dance around a sacred tree. In the Manganda dance a group of men wear huge headdresses of bulls' horns and silver coins. Eels are also revered as fertility symbols.
The final resting place of the dead is the liang, a family tomb high in a cliff safe from robbers, for gold and jewels are interred with the dead. Outside the tomb there is a platform or balcony carved into the cliff and here a tau tau or wooden effigy of the dead person is placed to represent the spirit. At the funeral also, bamboo effigies are made. Monuments to ancestors in the form of tall spires can be seen in the rante, special fields once used for large funerals.
As part of the important Mabua" ceremony miniature implements of daily life are used.

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The Philosophy of Toraja traditional house

The first Toraja house was constructed in heaven by Puang Matua, the Creator, that is according to a myth in Tana Toraja. The building standing on four poles, and the roof was made of special cloth. Next, Puang Matua ordering to build another house, with iron poles and bamboo roof. When the ancestor of mankind descended to earth in the southern half of Toraja (Regency of Enrekang), he imitated the heavenly house, and a big house ceremony (Rambu tuka' ) was held for the occasion.

Tangdilino'. The former village founder of Toraja, who stay Near Mengkendek (southern Toraja), a house was built that had a roof with its two ends bending upwards. This particular form is explained in various ways. The first story stresses resemblance to a boat - since, according to myth, the ancestors of the Toraja people came by boat from the Mekong Delta in South China - the second story says that the arch-shaped roof looks like the sky. This is, indeed, reflected in some prayers by the ancient animistic belief Aluk Todolo.

according to the history of tana toraja, only the noble people who have the right to build such a beatiful house (tongkonan). The most important noble houses were the seats of political power for local rulers who dominated small groups of villages. Each of these families has a long past, full of myths, mystery, and ancestral achievement. All noble families, of course, have a significant history to justify their claim to wealth and status, whereas most ordinary people live in undecorated houses - mostly bamboo shacks - called banua. Sometimes the status associated with a tongkonan and the people who are allowed to inhabit these houses, varies according to the different areas within Toraja itself.

Three different types of tongkonans can be distinguished. The first is called tongkonan layuk, which belongs to the highest adat authorities. This type of tongkonan used to be the centre of government - a position that even today seems to be respected. The second kind is the tongkonan pekamberan, which belongs to the family clan and group members surrounding the adat functionaries. The third kind is called the tongkonan batu, and belongs to the ordinary people (i.e. not adat functionaries).

The style of the tongkonans has changed slightly over time. The oldest surviving structures are generally small, with only a small curve to the roof. As the house came to embody aristocratic ambitions, it was gradually built higher and the curve of the extended eaves has become more and more exaggerated. As a consequence, the living space inside the tongkonan was reduced due to increased prestige and status, as the exterior of the house grew to be more colourful and exuberant in appearance.

Many house carving designs are derived from plant and animal motifs. The names of these designs are reminiscent of everyday life, and very humble, for instance, pumpkin vines. Water plants and animals such as crabs, tadpoles, water weeds, and so forth are a sign of fertility. The trailing water plants, lusciously growing in all directions, are often depicted because they are able to multiply rapidly, while still clinging to the central stem. It is hoped that the house descendents will also be numerous and stick to the family clan. Other carvings represent buffaloes, heirloom embellishments or heavy ears of rice. All of these motifs are connected to the desired wealth and abundance. The main wall poles, on the front of the tongkonan, are always decorated with stylised buffalo heads. On the top of the façade, in the gable triangle, there are images of beetle nut and sunbursts, since some take this part of the tongkonan to represent the Heavens. Of course, being the mediator between earth and heaven, cocks are always a part of the decorations. The most mysterious of all creatures that is sometimes found on the front of a tongkonan is the so-called katik, a big, long-necked bird with a crest on top of its head. This is either a cock, or a mythical bird of the forests. Some, however, claim this is a hornbill, the image of which is often used all over South-East Asia.

The layout of the Toraja Traditional houses is imbued with symbolic meaning. The orientation of the tongkonans has cosmological connotations, and the design of the carved decorations on the front has symbolic significance since it contains a variety of messages about social hierarchy and structure, and the relations to the world of the spirits.

As described above, the creator Puang Matua is associated with the North, and therefore the tongkonan must also face North. The South of the house is associated with the afterworld (heaven, or Puya) and the ancestors. The West and the East are associated with the left and right hands of the human body, but also with the world of the gods (East) and the ancestors in their deified form (West).
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Toraja Social Conditions

Tana Toraja region also called Tondok Lili'na Lapongan Bulan Tana Matari'allo. This region is inhabited by one ethnic (Ethnic Toraja). With a population of approximately 458,000 inhabitants. Approximately 650,000 people who live outside the region and work outside the area of ​​Tana Toraja. Toraja Tribe has bahasa Toraja as a local language. But for the association in general they use Indonesian, in addition, some of Toraja people also can speak English, Dutch, German, Japanese and Mandarin. Those who fall into this category are the sons of Toraja who served as guide for the tourist.

Until now, foreign cultures are
not strong enough to influence the Toraja people way of life who were so friendly, living in harmony, peace and harmony and with open arms greet her guests to come together in Toraja traditional ceremony either Rambu tuka' ceremony or Rambu solo' ceremony.

POPULATION

The majority of the population consists of ethnic Toraja, although there are also other ethnic groups residing in this area for various reasons either because the relationship of marriage, employment, trade and others. Toraja ethnic population alone is estimated to reach one million people, but who live in this area is only around 450,000 inhabitants, whereas most others are scattered throughout the archipelago as well as other parts of the world.

RELIGION

Tana Toraja has Aluk Todolo as their ancestor religion, after going through the process of acculturation and cultural assimilation, in Tana Toraja can be found several religions, among others: Christian Protestant 298,221 inhabitants, 108,850 Catholic soul, the soul of Islam and Hindu 37 853 Toraja 13 145 Soul.

LANGUAGES

As part of the Indonesian archipelago, the Indonesian language is one of the language used as language of instruction in the association. However, the local language is the language of Toraja (Sa'dan) certainly become the most dominant language in a conversation between members of the community, even become one of the local content of subjects taught in elementary school. ....Read More...

Aluk Todolo (an old animistic), Toraja Ancestors Religion

Aluk Todolo is the religion of the Toraja ancestors who are still practiced by a large number of people of Toraja. Even in 1970, Aluk Todolo already protected by state and officially accepted into the sect of Hindu-Balinese. Aluk Todolo is an old animistic belief, in its development, Aluk Todolo more influenced by the teachings of Confucius and the Hindu religious life. Therefore, Aluk Todolo is a dinamistic polytheism belief.

Aluk means trust or rules of behavior, To = human, Dolo = first  / bygone.
There is also a distinguished call aluk Sanda pitunna or 7777 because it has a 7777 ban or pamali and this is what actually maintain living arrangements that will bring peace ..

the belief of Aluk Todolo stems from two main courses aluk 7777 (aluk Sanda pitunna) and aluk all-round hundred (Sanda saratu ').

Sanda Aluk Pitunna (aluk 7777) distributed by Tangdilino 'and is a religious system that is believed by the Toraja as aluk derived from the sky along with mankind. Therefore, Aluk Sanda Pitunna is the oldest and widely spread in Toraja. Meanwhile, Aluk Sanda Saratu' came later and is spread by Puang Tamborolangi', but Aluk Sanda Saratu'only developing region Tallu Lembangna (Makale, Sangalla and Mengkendek).

Aluk Sanda Pitunna derived from religious teaching (sukaran aluk) covering the ceremony (aluk), prohibition (Pemali), a general truth ( sangka' ) and the incident in accordance with the plot (salunna). Aluk itself includes the ceremony which consists of three shoots and four tumbuni (aluk Tallu lolona, a'pa 'pentaunina). Called three aIuk because it involves a ceremony that involves human beings (aluk tau), a ceremony involving plants (aluk tananan) and rituals involving animals (aluk patuan) and said four because in addition to the three things above there is one ritual Suru ceremony called 'serves to penetrate the fault (pengkalossoran).

Western Region
Important figure in the spread of this aluk in western Tana Toraja, namely:
Pongkapadang together Burake Tattiu 'which spread the aluk to the area of Bonggakaradeng, partly Saluputti, Simbuang until the Pitu Ulunna Salu Ba'bana Minanga Karua, to introduce to the local community a social institution which is called in Toraja language "to unnirui' Suke pa'pa, to ungkandei kandian saratu' namely social institutions that do not recognize strata.

Eastern Region
In the eastern region of Tana Toraja, Pasontik together with Burake Tambolang spread to areas of Pitung Penanaian, Rantebua, Tangdu, Ranteballa, Ta'bi, Tabang, Maindo up to the South and North Luwu by introducing a social institution which called in Toraja language: "To Unnirui 'Suke dibonga, To unkandei kandean pindan ", ie social institutions that make up good people's lives in the three social strata.

Middle region
Tangdilino together with Burake Tangngana spread the aluk to the middle region of Tana Toraja with a social institution "To unniru'i Suke dibonga, To ungkandei kandean pindan".

In accordance with the meaning and content in Aluk Todolo belief system, there are a number of issues relevant to management and environmental protection. If the reference traced, it would be found that there is a concept of management and preservation of the environment for Toraja people, the first set in the existing religious system and it covers almost all rites performed.

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Tana Toraja Dances

Ritual act of Aluk Todolo in fulfilling religious rules tangible on the cult of Puang Matua, Deata or To Mambali Puang, manifested in traditional art forms like dance, singing, music, art literature, carving and sculpture.

Art that is appreciated always associated with Aluk Rambu Tuka' and Aluk Rambu Solo'. In general, the kinds of art are staged specifically for each activity of traditional rituals, both Rambu Tuka 'and Rambu Solo'. But there is also type of arts that is staged in both kinds of rituals. There is a type of art called 'Basse Bubung, is the art which may be performed at the joy ceremony Aluk Rampe Matallo and grief at the event Aluk Rampe Matampu'.

Almost all kinds of art are staged is a mix of several kinds of art, such as a combination of sound art with dance, dance with music, or songs to the art of music.

Type of art that have been developed in Tana Toraja cultural society such as: Ma'gellu Dance originally developed in the District of Pangalla 'about 45 km to the east of the city of Rantepao and usually staged at a special ceremony called Ma'Bua', relating to the finishing of Toraja traditional house (Tongkonan), or the family have been held a great Rambu Solo' ceremony (Rapasaan Sapu Randanan).

Currently, Ma'gellu' dance also often performed at the wedding ceremony, thanksgiving harvests, and at the event of receptioning honored guest. This dance is performed by young women with an odd number and accompanied by the rhythm of drums that beat by young men who were four people. Clothing and accessories used are specifically for the dancer with jewelry made of gold and silver, like Gold Keris / Sarapang Bulawan, Kandaure, Sa'pi 'Ulu', Tali Tarrung, Fur Bawan, Rara ', Mastura, Manikkata, Oran-Oran, Lola' Pali' Gaapong, Komba Boko' and others.

Dance Boneballa'/ Ondo Samalele', just like Ma'gellu' dance, is also the sort joy dance that is usually staged in the thanksgiving ceremony, gratitude for the success of a large family in completing the reconstruction (rehabilitation or restoration) of their tongkonan (Traditional Houses of toraja). The ceremony is usually called Merok, usually also associated with the completion of a family held a great Rambu Solo ceremoy 'mangrapai' / sapu Randanan. Bone Balla' danced by women and girls who are the families who came from the same tongkonan. This dance is accompanied by a drum beat rhythm known as Oni Oni Tumburaka and Tuntunpitu. Boneballa Dance always accompanied by lyrics of a song called Passengo / poets worship to God. Clothes of dancers are special cothes and also wear the same jewelry with Ma'gellu' dancers but more fitted again with the decorations: Sissin Ake', Tida, tida, Dodo Tannung Pamiring, Bayu Paruki 'and Passapu. Boneballa Dance 'concludes with a mass dance which was followed by dozens of families.

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Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Tana Toraja (often referred to as Tanah Toraja) is one area in the north of South Sulawesi (actually, this region has been categorized middle island of Sulawesi). On the island of Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, occupy the area around the base of the foot of the island. Tana Toraja has become so unique because it is the only place in Indonesia (or even the world) who have a culture like this. Tana Toraja with its citizens, called The Toraja have unique traditions in the form of burial that is not planted to the ground but placed in the tomb stone in the rock and celebrated with a gala.
Tana Toraja itself is a piece of territory on foot near the base of Sulawesi, which is surrounded by mountains and hills. Altitude territory about 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level. In relation to the contour and the region to be enclosed by nature, access to this place is pretty difficult. Regular access to a public place is with inter-city buses that depart from Makassar, Pare-Pare, or Palopo. The opposite of the natural contours of the mountainous and hilly, Tana Toraja has all the necessary things to make a good farm. The cool air and water availability makes the production of food crops abound here, including rice and various kinds of crops. The result is superior than the Tana Toraja Coffee and Marqisa. Marqisa Toraja and coffee even down to the overseas famous Loch. Could be, one of the coffee you drink at the local and international coffee outlets in shopping malls is this famous Toraja coffee.
In addition to crops, Tana Toraja, known for its customs and traditions precisely that catapulted his name. Toraja People have unique customs in connection with the death of a party or shower. At times like this, the celebration should be done with a massive slaughter including some cows / buffaloes. Tourism has become the main magnet in Toraja. Although had experienced moments of ups and downs, especially when exposed to excess bombing in Bali, Toraja tourism back moves to fix and continue to promote the wealth of some cultures in the eyes of the world. There are two common party held by the Toraja people Rambu Tuka (shower or wedding) and Rambu Solo' (death feast). The Toraja People habit is to organize everything with the lively and large. Therefore, not surprisingly, the funeral ceremony will be held on one, two years or longer, depending on the readiness of funds to the owner of the party. In addition to traditional party, Toraja is also famous for a unique form of customary house boat named Tongkonan and grave stone walls filled with mock statue of the man who died while they were alive. The statue is called Tau-Tau which is made from jackfruit tree wood and is built upon a rocky cliff overlooking the village and allegedly said to protect children and grandchildren and their descendants. This Tau-Tau is surreal with wooden blocks have hands and legs and the face painted plus the position of the hands are bent straight forward. Tau-Tau also have a very real, are large for the man himself, made exactly follow the curve of the body to the lateral face of the deceased. Clothing of the deceased did not forget is applied as well to the Tau-Tau, even down to the accessories ranging from hats to diamond gold.
Previously, Tana Toraja region exclusively covered by hills and mountains in the surrounding natural. Until now too, if you come from Enrekang, you must enter the gates of a large stone on top of it where there is Tongkonan as you enter the gate sign Toraja region. Even From Toraja to Palopo, covering the natural landscape and at the same time maintaining this area. The road winding past cliffs adorn segment Rantepao - Palopo. News landslides become a common thing in this segment. Now, along with the rise of regional autonomy, Toraja did not want to miss. Tana Toraja regency that used to be only one, blooming into two: the Toraja and North Toraja. Each district has its own capital city Makale and Rantepao. Rantepao, the central tourist city in Toraja eventually become the capital of the North after the bloom of the Toraja in the south. Commonly visited tourist attraction in Tana Toraja is neither the city. Both cities center is just a starting point for tourists. A number of tourist-dominated village tour, hanging graves, grave stone wall rocks, trees grave, sarcophagus called Erong, to waterfalls, pools and hot springs are scattered throughout the region. Tourist attraction around Tana Toraja (the term is common to call both the Toraja region) is very much from a very well known until quite small and newly developed. Access is also varied, there is a large roadside, rather go into, go through bad roads, so that can only be accessed by foot only. a week in this place would not be satisfied to see the whole object of the tour. Not to mention, the opportunity to see the day of the market and a very unique ceremony. As if time was running fast in Tana Toraja.
For those of you who will visit Tana Toraja, please note that the climate in Tana Toraja tend cold. Warm clothes and a scarf is compulsory if you visit this place. Do not be surprised if you see a thick fog that covered your views, especially when you are in the margins of Toraja is higher than urban areas. By day, you do not need warm clothes because the air quite friendly, tropical standard. For you the Moslem visitors, please understand that the Toraja are Christian territory. Although the Toraja people still adhered to the local belief Aluk Todolo with Puang Matua as his Lord, but Christianity is the religion that dominates this region. Well, for you the moslem visitors, you should be aware of the food menu at this place because of the Toraja people consume pork (you can see a row of pigs with a wide range of sizes lined up on the day the market in Toraja). If you want to play it safe, find food Pangkajene a lot of standing in this place (even in parts of South Sulawesi), for example soup konro, Cotto, Sop Saudara and fried chicken. If you're not sure, you should always ask before you eat everything.
Now, with this, it looks like you're ready to go to Tana Toraja. You will meet the hospitality of Toraja once you set foot on this territory. Develop a smile and asked to not get lost, get ready to melt would friendliness of Tana Toraja.

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Tongkonan Toraja (Traditional House of Toraja)

Tongkonan Toraja is the most noticeable thing about Toraja. Tana Toraja is one of the little places in Indonesia where traditional structures still being built until present, other than for the benefit of tourists. The most distinctive feature of the toraja houses is their saddle shaped roofs, with each end shooting high into the sky.

Legend ties the shape of the roofs to the origins of the Torajans. Their tradition is that they originated in the mountains of present-day Vietnam. Thousands of years ago, they began a voyage southward. After a couple of years island hopping south, they came to Sulwesi. They made their way by boat up the Sa'dan River as far as present day city of Enrekang, then continued to follow the river on foot to their present valley home. They bought their boats with them, and hung them between trees for shelter. From the shape of the boat supposedly comes the shape of the elaborate Torajan roofs, to remind them of their roots.

The roofs are made of pieces of arm-length sticks of bamboo split in half and stacked in an interlocking style very similar to terra cotta tile roofs the world over. Modern houses may have sheet-metal roofs, but they maintain the same shape, and even use carved wood panels on the under-side to mimic the shape of the traditional bamboo.
Traditional Village
The detailed designs painted on a rice barn.


Tongkonan houses always face north. The interior typically has just three rooms. In the center is the largest room, used as the living area. To the south is the room where the family sleeps, and keeps any dead they haven't buried yet. A small room at the north end is usually reserved for guests. The floors of the north and south rooms is usually slightly higher than the floor of the main room.

The exterior walls are made of wood panels. These are always etched and painted. Most of the patterns are geometric designs, although representations of people, animals and other objects can also be seen. You'll note throughout Tana Toraja that only four colors are used to decorate houses: Black, white, red and yellow. The colors represent, in essence, death or darkness, holy purity, blood and wisdom. The north end of the house will usually have a carved buffalo head on it as well. The pole supporting the north end of the roof may also have a row of buffalo horns affixed to it. This is taken as a sign of wealth.

Facing each tongkonan house will be one or more rice barns, built in the same basic shape but much smaller. Like the houses, the rice barn is raised well off the ground to keep the rice free from damp. The poles supporting the rice barn are kept very smooth to keep away rats and other climbing vermin. As with the houses, the outside walls of the rice barns are engraved and painted. The rice barns can be pre-fabricated off-site and bought to the site by pick-up. There are workshops near the woodworkers village of Ke'te Kesu where you can see rice barns being built. You can even order one to go!

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distinctive food and beverage in tana toraja, Indonesia

Tana Toraja has its own distinctive foods, just like many regions of Indonesia. However, the foods of Toraja are a little more different than most, due mainly to the fact that the vast majority of them are Christian. So, you have such delicacies as a braised pork blackened by a special spice found only in Toraja, washed down with some palm wine. Other delicacies include meat (usually chicken) cooked in bamboo and coffee.
Unfortunately, there are very few restaurants outside of hotels in Tana Toraja. There are stalls and small roadside eateries catering mostly to locals, but these are generally only for the 'hygienically adventurous', as one guidebook author puts it. The one restaurant that seems to serve local foods to foreigners is Celebes, located a little north of Rantepao. ....Read More...

How uniqueThe Burial Traditiion of Tana Toraja

The Toraja Tribe of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is known for the cheerful way of treating death, and its unique burial grounds carved in sheer rock.

There are plenty of tourist destinations area in Indonesia. One of them, and the most beautiful tourist destinations of Indonesia, the green hills of South Sulawesi are home to the Highland of Toraja, a tribe that still honors the old Austronesian lifestyle. Most people in Tana Toraja are Christians, converted during Dutch colonization, but traces of their old beliefs still remain and are most visible during funeral festivities and burial customs. The Toraja are obsessed with death, but not in a tragic sense; to them, funerals are a lot like going-away parties celebrated by sacrificing dozens of buffaloes and pigs for a feast enjoyed by the entire community.

The main concern of a Toraja tribe member is to make sure he raises enough money so the family can held a big funeral ceremony, when one of the family leaves this world. Their bodies are stored under the family home for years after their death. During this time the remaining relatives refer to that person not as “the deceased” but as “the sick”, and raise money for the actual funeral, which is usually attended by hundreds of guests. Tourists are welcome to attend the festivities, as long as they don’t wear black or red.

While churches dot the Toraja countryside, tribe members are rarely buried in the ground. They are either placed in tombs dug into nearby cliffs, or in wooden coffins hanging on the side of mountains. Lemo, one of the most popular burial sites in the area, looks like a big piece of rock Swiss cheese, with holes carved to fit coffins and balconies for the “tau tau” – life-size wooden effigies representing the deceased. In the old days, effigies only showed the deceased’s gender, but now master carvers try to make them look like the actual person. After the body has been placed in its rock tomb, the dead’s effigy is placed along others, in a carved balcony, so his spirit can watch over his descendants. Unfortunately, so many tau tau effigies have been stolen to be sold to tourists that people have started to keep them in their house.

At Ke’te’ kesu’, the dead are not placed in cliff-dug graves, but in wooden caskets hanging from the side of cliffs. The coffins are beautifully decorated with geometrical shapes, but over time the wood begins to rot and the bleached bones of the deceased often exposed. Some Toraja members are so resourceful that they pack the bones of several family members into a single coffin, which eventually causes the sustaining poles to break under the weight. But, judging by the piles of wood and bones at the bottom of the suspended burial ground, this doesn’t seem to bother anyone.

The smallest of the Toraja burial grounds are the “Baby Trees” where the tribe’s young are placed. If a child dies before he has started teething, its mother wraps his body in cloth, makes a another hole in the Baby Tree and places the dead infant inside. The hole is then sealed and as the tree begins to heal, the child is believed to be absorbed.

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Toraja funeral ceremony

Who does not know with Tana Toraja, a country with so many customs and very beautiful tourist destination. Tana Toraja, is 300 kilometers from Makassar, South Sulawesi, host various cultural customs and ancestors who bequeathed by their forefathers, and remain stable until now.

Any descendants of the Toraja, wherever they are, must uphold the cultural roots of their forefathers. Until now, children and grandchildren of Tana Toraja ethnic who live abroad and other parts of Indonesia, will keep doing the same tradition that made by their ancestors thousands of years ago.

Their obedience in carrying out the customs and cultural heritage of their fathers until now, attracted many foreign and domestic tourists to visit Tana Toraja each year. Tana Toraja, now becomes one of prime tourist areas owned by the South sulawesi. Various ceremonies held by Toraja people and held every year, become a magnet for foreign tourists.

There are various traditional ceremonies in Tana Toraja, one of them is Rambu Solo', funeral ancestors who had died several years earlier. the event consists of Sapu Randanan, and Tombi Saratu '. In addition, the ceremony also known Ma'nene and Rambu Tuka' ceremony.

The Rambu Tuka' ceremony and Rambu Solo' accompanied with dance and typical Toraja music for days. Rambu Tuka' is a ceremony to enter a new custom house called Tongkonan or renovated homes once in 50 or 60 years. This ceremony is known as Ma'Bua ', Meroek, or Mangrara Banua Sura'.

Meanwhile, Rambu Solo look like a big party. In fact, a funeral procession. In the custom of Tana Toraja, families left behind must hold a feast as a sign of their last respects to the deceased. People who died regarded as a sick man and should be cared for and treated like living people, providing food, beverages, and tobacco or betel nut.

Not only the traditional rituals that are found in the ceremony of Rambu Solo '. A variety of interesting cultural activities, will be shown, among others Mapasilaga Tedong (buffalo fighting) and Sisemba (foot race).

Rambu Solo' 'will be more lively if the deceased was derived from royal or the rich people. Number of buffaloes and pigs will be sacrificed to measure their level of wealth and degrees while still alive. In Rantepao, you can see a festive Rambu Solo' ceremony.

Development of a family tomb for the deceased and the holding Rambu Solo' usually cost hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. No wonder, because many traditional rituals which they should run in the funeral procession.

One of the great Rambu Solo' ceremony, lasted up to seven days. Like what they called Dipapitung Bongi. Animals that must be cut just no fewer than 150 head, consisting of buffalos and pigs. The meat will be distributed to the villagers who help the process of Rambu Solo '.

The ceremony which attracted foreign tourists and local tourists are buffalo fighting or commonly called Ma'pasilaga Tedong. before the buffalo pitted, there will be a buffalo parade. Buffalo is an animal that is considered sacred to the Toraja people. A Caucasian or an albino price will be very expensive, reaching hundreds of millions dollars. There is also a buffalo that has black spots on his back called saleko and black on the back (lotong boko').

The procession of buffalo sacrificing on the style of Toraja, Ma'tinggoro tedong is the next activity, where the buffalo will be cut down by a machete with a single slash. Getting late, the buffalo fighting will be more crowded because the buffalo that will be pitted is a buffalo who already have fighting experience dozens of times.

Rambu Solo' reflects the lives of Tana Toraja people who love the mutual assistance, mutual help, kinship, have social strata, and respect for parents.

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walking corpses in Tana Toraja

Long time ago in a cave at the village of Sillanan, human corpses had been found intact, do not decay until now. The corpse was not embalmed like the Egyptian people nor given a potion Ancient or anything. But it could remain intact. On the Local people opinion, there is the possibility of such a substance in the Cave of the properties that can preserve human bodies. If only there were geological and chemical experts who would waste time investigating the place, presumably Sillanan cave enigma can be solved. In addition to anti-rotten corpses, there is also a human body that can walk on two legs, like a living person. If you want to find also the difference, there are a different, but not so obvious. Perhaps according to local people, the corpse walk stiffly and somewhat jerky. And the corpse could not walk alone, it must be accompanied by a live person who escorted him, until the final destination of their own homes. Why should it?
this is the story.
Toraja people used to roam the mountainous areas and steep ravines by walking. From ancient times till today remain so. They do not know the cart, wagon, cart or something like that. Well in the course of the heavy trips likely to fall ill and die is always could happen. In order not to be left in the an unknown area (Toraja people respect the spirit of every person who died) and also not to bother other people (will be very unlikely to carry the body continuously along the journey that took many days), then by one magic, perhaps a kind of hypnotism under the terms of today, the bodies are required to go home on foot and only stopped when he had put his body in his own house. And just imagine, the body knows the way, and know which house! Nevertheless there is still one taboo: walking dead should not be touched. Maybe if touched by the miracle that run it will immediately disappears. Who knows.
The last oddity that is not so amazing was "Ballo" (palm wine), which is not intoxicating if drink it, no matter how much you drank. Beside could heating the body, this palm wine, which is mixed with the bark decoction, also could add energy and prolong life. It may be true, since the age of the population there would average 80 to 100 years. Will the palm wine has the same effect if taken outside the Toraja? never been tried.

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The Tribe History of Toraja

That said, the Toraja people are human ancestors who came from nirvana.

This legend tells that the ancestors of the Toraja people down from nirvana using the "ladder of heaven" which then serves as a medium of communication with Puang Matua (God Almighty). But an anthropologist said that the Toraja society is the result of the acculturation process among local residents who lived in the mainland of South Sulawesi, with immigrant from the Tongkin Gulf (mainland China). The process of acculturation between these societies originated from Indo Chinese immigrants landed in considerable amounts in the vicinity of the headwaters area of Enrekang. then These immigrants build settlements in the area.Toraja name originally given by the Buginess, the words To Riaja which means "one who dwells in the land above or mountains". There is also another version that says the name comes from the word Toraya. To mean people or "person", Raya of Maraya word meaning "great". So Toraya means great men or nobles. Over time, the mention become Toraja. And Tana word meaning country, finally the habitation was known then by the Tana Toraja

Natural Environment Location

This is the most appropriate place to enjoy nature with all your heart. Tana Toraja offers natural charm that can be enjoyed with the ways of modern man, ie, with leisure and overnight at the venue.

The long journey, almost eight hours from Makassar. But in every corner, this heart be comforted by the beauty that was never the same. Starting from the high seas, kapok tree line, karst hills, green fields, clear rivers, unique houses , up to the beauty of Nona Mounten. Not later then, Tator tip caught by the eye.
Exotic blend of green hills with jagged ridges and rocky cliffs erect robust challenge. This is the beginning of the real charm of Tana Toraja. So many towering rocky hills, scattered in the expanse of hills and woods, as if to preach that beauty is God's grace in this area.

Various tongkonan, namely Toraja traditional house, can still be seen. Take a look at the details. In front of each tongkonan always seen the composition of buffalo horns arranged. Number of horns in the beginning indicate the number of buffalo that have been sacrificed. The larger and long horns, the more higher social status the owner's family. But along with the times, not all of the horn could be placed on the stake it upright.

Understandably, this custom has been carried out dozens or even hundreds of years, while the pole can only accommodate 10 to 40 horns, so the other horn was forced to be stored only in the family barn. Besides a large and beautiful tongkonan, another sign that symbolizes the prosperity of a family is the rice granary of ownership which is also located in front of the house. More and more the amount of rice granary, the higher the social status of the family.

Language

Generally, toraja people use only one local language. The language they speak is Bahasa Toraja, for people who are far away from the city more widely used indigenous language Toraja. Most are also using the Indonesian language and for tourists who come to visit the tourist attractions will led by their own guide (tour guide).


Knowledge Systems

In Tanah Toraja, there are some arts that can provide an indirect knowledge about customs and traditions as well as knowledge of the history of Tanah Toraja. one of them is Rambu Tuka' ceremony.

Thanksgiving ceremony or Rambu Tuka ', among others, is the marriage ceremony, as well as for safety house (building houses, renovating
or entering a new house). Ceremony for safety house is also called the dedication ceremony of the house. Ceremonies of this type should be carried out early morning and is expected to finish in the afternoon. Cutting animal sacrifice is also done, but the number was not as much during the ceremony of death. It also caused many deaths on the assumption that the funeral ceremony in Tana Toraja was more festive than any other ceremony.

Livelihood

The crafters machetes in all regions of the Toraja. But if you want to see the manufacturing process, then the day came on the market (6 days) that was held in Rantepao. The market day is the largest market in Toraja, with trading privileges buffalo and pigs are very large.

Vast terrain that holds water buffalo with the seller side by side with the stalls of the craftsmen machete. Making the system fast enough traditional machetes workmanship can be seen here. You can also find craftsmen in the village of La'bo', Kelurahan Sanggalangi' (canal direction Kete' kesu), which in addition to farming, they also create a machete and they will gladly show you how to manufacture.

Of course, as a sense of gratitude, should your reward in the form of tips (min. USD. 10.000, -) for the demonstration that they serve, or began to attack purchase price of approximately Rp. 65.000, -. But it must be admitted, machetes and swords that are sold in more subtle permanent market Rantepao homemade, of course the price is more varied, according to the model, size and motifs have

Art

What a gift that not only the tradition and stunning natural Toraja, for in the daily life of the soul of art radiated looked strong from Toraja population. So that was weird in the township as well as places of burial sights, always seen some craft center that offers a taste of art itself.

The art is in Toraja include
Ikat Weaving. Village To 'Barana' in Sa'dang, where still visible a few old ladies are busy spinning and weaving cotton yarn. Persistence of the old woman's unfortunately going to become extinct if not followed by young people. It must be recognized weaving skills require more patience, because the process is using a traditional tool and takes a long time, could take months to make a long and beautiful Woven fabrics. Woven fabrics are rather wide and can be used for scarves and wall hangings valued at around Rp. 75,000,
Wood carving. Tau' sculptor-tau 'in large and small size, and a variety of carvings can be found not only in the village of Kete' Kesu, but also in Londa. Although often the craftsman is not entirely dependent of a work of art, but they will gladly accept orders a variety of goods. Craft-made they are usually also marketed in other places in Toraja.

What's interesting to be used as souvenirs, especially when celebrating Valentine, is tau'-tau 'mini-sized, approximately 10 cm. Tau'-tau 'with profiles of men and women are usually offered a pair. "Do not separated, they're a pair," the persuasion of the seller. Prices for mini size and a larger (25 cm) is usually not much different, about Rp. 10.000, - per pair. The complexity of designing and carving tau'tau 'that is valued, not just the amount of raw materials used.

governmental structure
use to be, the ruling in Tanah Toraja is the kingdom led by a king like King Sangalla. Then, after Indonesia's independence Tanah Toraja became part of Indonesia. For a while this government is decentralization (Regional Autonomy).

Decentralization and local Otonomisasi (decentralization) should be recognized as an opposite process of centralization of authoritarian rule. Centralism of power in the hands of authoritarian rulers who have mastered the archipelago's diverse communities living in different islands of the archipelago are scattered over the ocean. Society archipelago suffered unfair treatment. The way out of injustice is the decentralization of power and otonomisasi area. In other words, decentralization is the biological child of an effort to combat injustice and attempt to relax the strong chain that shackles of authoritarian rule by the people or the people of the archipelago. ....Read More...

About Tana Toraja

Tana toraja is quite simply unique. A cultural island, hemmed in by mountains on all sides, the toraja believe that there is life after death with their elaborate ceremonies. Take the beauty of Bali, the houses of the Bataks in Sumatra and the megalithic cultures of Sumba and you’re still not even close. Cave graves, hanging graves, tau tau (life-sized wooden effigies) of the dead and buffalo carnage every summer; it’s macabre but mesmerising. This is a world unto itself.

Toraja arcitecture is undoubtedly the most popular destination in Sulawesi. It’s a vast, pretty and mostly unspoilt area of trad­itional villages, unique architecture and fascinating cultures. The funeral season is usually during July and August, when toraja working throughout Indonesia return home for celebrations, tourists come in groups and Rantepao hotel prices getting higher.

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Interesting places & object in Tana Toraja.

Tana Toraja is one of the Indonesian tourist attraction, inhabited by a tribe who lived on the highland of Toraja and maintaining a distinctive lifestyle and still show the original Austronesian lifestyle and culture are similar to Nias. This area is one of tourist destination area in South Sulawesi, which is very interesting and you should not miss.

The following is a list of some interesting places that you might visit:

Tongkonan Pallawa is a tongkonan or traditional house that very interesting and were among the bamboo trees on the hilltop. Tongkonan is decorated with a number of buffalo horn that is attached at the front of traditional house. Located about 12 km to the north of Rantepao.

Londa is the steep rocks on the side of a typical tomb Tana Toraja. One was located on high ground from the hill with a cave in which the corpse crates are set according to the family line, the other one left open hillside views overlooking the green expanse. Located about 5 km to the south of Rantepao.

The object of this charming village of Tongkonan, rice barns and buildings in the surrounding megaliths. About 100 yards behind this village there is a cliff with the grave cemetery site dependent and tau-tau in a given building stone fence. Tau-tau shows the daily appearance of the owner. This village is also known as carving skills possessed by its inhabitants as well as a great place to shop for souvenirs. Located about 4 km from southeast Rantepao.

In this area you can find about 56 stone menhirs in a loop with 4 trees in the middle. Most stone menhir has a height of about 2-3 meters. From here you can see the beauty Rantepao and the surrounding valley. Located in the area of Sesean with 1300 Meters above sea level.

This place is often referred to as the home of the spirits. At the funeral Lemo you can see the dead bodies are stored in the open air, amid the steep rocks. This cemetery is the combination of death, art and ritual. At certain times clothing from the bodies will be replaced with a ceremony called Ma' Nene. Located in District of Tana Toraja. ....Read More...