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Tana Toraja is one of the two regencies of the Toraja people in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its capital is Makale, while the other regency is Toraja Utara, with its capital Rantepao. The name Tana Toraja means "land of heavenly kings", a description which the Toraja people gave themselves in centuries past. The regency is aboiut 330 km from Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.
Tongkonan, the origin houses of Tana Toraja
Author: Dominique Kirsner (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 Generic)
Tana Toraja is today developing into a tourist destination in Indonesia. It attracts cultural tourist interested in the Toraja people's way of life, particularly its funerary rites and burials.
Toraja funerals are elaborate ceremonies staged at great expense. Called tomate, it can even be described as a festival, complete with buffalo fights and feasts. The funeral ceremony usually includes the slaughter of animals that may include any number of buffaloes and pigs, according to the capability of the family.
Toraja funeral procession
Author: Sergey (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
The funeral cultinates in the burial of the deceased high up on cliffs. An effigy of the deceased is placed in front of the coffin. Due to the great expense involved in staging Toraja funerals, the deceased may be kept at home for years before it is given the proper send-off. Funerals are usually held after the harvest season, between July and October.
In addition to Toraja funerals, tourist also come to Tana Toraja to admire its traditional architecture, particularly the Tongkonan (origin houses) and Alang (barn or granary). The houses have upward-sloping roofst that bear similarities to houses found in other parts of Indonesia, such as those in Lake Toba, Nias and Flores, but they are all different and once familiar, one can easily tell them apart.
Visiting Tana Toraja
There are flights from Makassar to Tana Toraja on SMAC (Sabang Merauke Air Charter). Flight takes about 55 minutes. You can also board a bus to Tana Toraja from Makassar. The journey takes about 8-10 hours.Places to Visit in Tana Toraja
- Bori Parinding
This site has a ceremonial ground for performances which may include burial rites and thanksgiving ceremonies. - Kande Api
Toraja site with houses, granaries, a ceremonial ground and burial places. - Kete Kesu
One of the most complete Toraja settlement with Tongkonan, Alang, burial place and ceremonial ground. - Nanggala
Toraja site comprising two Tongkonan (origin-houses) and 16 alang (granaries) - Pallawa
A site with Toraja houses and barns. - Rante Karassik
Toraja site with ceremonial ground, located on a hill slope.
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