I've been to Tana Toraja once on work trip. It's on South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since it's an official trip, I didn't get to spend time exploring this cultured rich province. I've read about it and even saw documentary of the funeral rituals and processions, the elaborate feast and celebration of the death and what not. I know, it's a near missed not to visit and experience it. But work is work kan. You can't really venture into adventure on your own at your company's expense.
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| Map of Tana Torajam South Sulawesi |
Anyhow, until I have the opportunity to re-kindle with Tana Toraja and its wonder, here's some useful info, pictures and VIDEO on Tana Toraja.
Excerpt from Lonely Planet (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/sulawesi/tana-toraja):
Introducing Tana Toraja
A trip to Tana Toraja is like a cultural
documentary brought to life. Sweeping and elaborately painted houses
with boat-shaped roofs dot terraced rice paddies where farmers work the
fields alongside their doe-eyed buffalo. It’s an island hemmed in by
mountains on all sides and rich with traditional culture. Life for the
Toraja revolves around death, and their days are spent earning the money
to send away their dead properly. Funeral ceremonies bring together
families who may have dispersed as far as Papua or even Australia.
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| Some of the mannequins at the burial site |
Buffalo and pigs are sacrificed, there is a slew of traditional dances
and enough food and drink for everyone who can make it to the party.
High-class Toraja are entombed in cave graves or hanging graves in the
steep cliffs, which are guarded over by tau tau (life-sized
wooden effigies) carved in their image – you’ll find these eerie yet
beautiful cliff cemeteries scattered throughout the region.
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| The slaughter of the buffaloes in respect of the death |
The
biggest funerals are usually held in the dry-season months of July and
August, but there are funerals (even big ones) year-round. During July
and August the tourist numbers swell to uncomfortable proportions and
prices soar. Outside these months, you’ll share this cool countryside
with the locals and only a handful of foreign travellers. While most
people consider attending a funeral a highlight, Tana Toraja also offers
some great do-it-yourself trekking opportunities where you can explore
the fresh and clean outdoors and meet some of the most hospitable people
you’ll ever encounter.
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| The eerie sight of cave where the dead are finally buried. They were buried up high on the rock. The higher, the respected is the dead to the people |
*Disclaimer: images are courtesy of google images taken from various site. Video is taken from Youtube.
Til then, enjoy!
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| apekTRAVELS |
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