THE TRADITIONAL ARTS AND ATTRACTIONS

The Torajanese arts can be roughly divided in to seven kinds :

As singing and dancing are the only arts which are closely related to the teachings of Aluk Todolo, this chapter will mainly deal with them.

There are certain songs and dances which are performed specially for either the Rambu Solo or the Rambu Tuka' ceremonies.

The dance and song which are usually performed in :

Pa'gelly dance is a gay one performed by girls who are accompanied by drums. This is not restricted to Rambu Tuka' ceremonies only, but it can be danced on any other occasions except in the Rambu Solo ceremonies
ma'bugi is another gay dance which is performed with a song by a group people
Manimbong is always performed by men in the Merok and Mabua ceremonies to worship the Deatas or Puang Matua
Ma'dandan is danced by women after Manimbong dance
Mangnganda' is a dance performed by men who wear horns or crowns on their heads. There is no singging but each dancer takes it in turn to let out a cry or scream
Pa'Bone Balla
Pa' bondesan
Pa' Burake
Pa'gandangi

The rambu Solo Ceremonies

Ma'badong is usually performed by men in rememberance of dead person
Ma'randing is a war dance performed at the burial service of patriotic nobleman to remind people of his heroic deeds
Ma' katia is a dance to remind people of the dead person generosity and loyalty
Ma' marakka is a chour accompanied by flutes which consoles the breaved family
Ma'dondi is also a choir which sings songs describing the grief and misery of he family

TORAJA