category : History and Culture
Hilltops were considered sacred by the Torajans as the first ancestors descended there, and villages were formerly built on the summits. Fortified walls surrounded the villages, providing a defensive shield against enemies. However in the early part of this century when Toraja came under Dutch rule, the people were ordered to move to more accessible valleys and plateaux. The village complex consists of separate farms, surrounded by paddyfields, the rante where the rites for the dead are held and the rocky cliffs where the burial caves are located.
The village is further divided into two parts, high and low, each one forming a ceremonial bua' circle unit.
Buffaloes represent a status symbol used chiefly for ceremonial purposes and are not considered as draft animals. They are slaughtered for sacrifice during the funeral ceremonies and the meat eaten. Pigs and chickens are also slaughtered and eaten at ceremonies, such as funerals and the consecration of new tongkonan.
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| Toraja People - Pigs Slaugthered |
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| Toraja People - Ma' Tinggoro Tedong |
As the death rituals are the most important ceremony in a person's passage of life, wealth and power are important to attain the status needed to enter Puya (Land of Souls). So Torajans aspire to accumulate wealth through lolo tananan (plants), lolo patuan (animals) and lolo tau (children) which are the elements necessary to attain the power for the funeral ceremony.
The Torajans speak an Austronesian language related to that of the Bugis of South Sulawesi. Referred to as the Sa'dan Toraja language, it is divided into three dialects; the Makale-Rantepao dialect of east Toraja, in the west Saluputti-Bongga Karadeng and in the south Sillanan-Gandang Batu. The language as used by the ritual priests differ from those used by the ordinary people and are sometimes difficult to understand.
Since Bahasa Indonesia is the language of instruction and administration it is understood and spoken by all, and English is becoming a popular second language in schools.
In spite of improved education and migration to other parts of the country, the people of Toraja remain tied to their ramage and kinship groups, returning for funerals and, if they should die away from their homeland, every effort is made to return them for the last funeral rites.
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