CULTURE OF TORAJA

Torajan culture regards funeral rite as a very important event with deep meaning. Nowadays, the funeral rite is conducted to honor the dead and the bereft family.

Rambu Solo is a huge Endeavour lasting a full week. Hundreds, sometime thousands, of buffaloes and hogs were sacrificed for Rambu Solo. Larger ceremonies will require greater number of sacrificed livestock’s, even though buffalo does not come cheap, costing million rupiah. The size and scope alone would be enough reason for foreign and local tourists not to miss observing Rambu Solo.

Nevertheless, Rambu Solo is only one of Torajan culture’s many exotic side. For example, Tana Toraja is one of the few places in Indonesia where people still build a tribal house -the Torajan refers to it as tongkonan.

It is not uncommon to find the sight of tongkonan with its distinctive overturned-boat shaped roof, sandwiched between lush paddy fields.

The Torajan houses have, however, ended up becoming a sort of tourist attraction, in large part because of their uniquely thatched, saddleback-shaped roofs. Today, the pointed, bow-like shape of the tongkonan houses is supposed to remind the Torajans of their roots. The floors of the guest room and the "bedroom" (so to speak) are usually always a bit higher than the floor of the central living room.Scattered around Rantepao and Makale, capital city of Toraja Regency, are villages with old tongkonans that is still inhabited by its builder’s descendants.  On display in front of each house are buffalo horns to signify social status. 

 The word “cemetery” may remind us of bodies buried below ground and gravestones, but no such thing is evident in Tana Toraja. This is another unusual aspect of Toraja culture. Sometimes, a life size statue resembling one of the dead is placed in front of the cave opening. Instead of cave, the baby will be buried inside tree trunk, such as those found at Kambira. These burial procedures are widely acknowledged as one of Indonesia’s extraordinary cultures.

Soon to be World Heritage Site

Kete’kesu, Kambira, and Lokomata are not the only places to experience Torajan culture. Other places that should be visited including Palawa, Parinding, and Londa villages, megalithic stone structure of Bori Kalimbuang, Sullukang city, Sa’dan River in the middle, also has scenic view, dominated by green color of trees and vast paddy fields. While traveling in Tana Toraja, tourist can sometime come across marriage or house warming ceremonies (called Rambu Tuka) that are also quite unique. Torajan people hold fast to their culture as part of their daily routine. Their remarkable way of life has made the Torajan famous in the world and Tana Toraja is now in the process of becoming a world Heritage Site.

Getting the Most Out of Tana Toraja

Tana Toraja is a little regency located in South Sulawesi Province, about 380 km from Makassar, capital city of South Sulawesi. Numerous tourist sports are scattered throughout the regency, making Rantepao city, right at the heart of Tana Toraja, a perfect spot to begin any journey. Reaching Tana Toraja is as simple as driving through paved road from Makassar, or flying out Makassar on Merpati Airlines every Tuesday and Friday.