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| Stone graves on the cliff and the effigies |
Torajan tribe who live in South Sulawesi, Indonesia is one of the local tribe that has unique and attractive culture and living habit. For other peoples around the world, death is something relating to sadness and perhaps even disastrous. People generally will never receive death of family, relative or friend as something that is worthy of respect. However, not so with the society and culture of indigenous Toraja, death must be accept with full respect, in their spiritual horizon, death is a part of a millstone of entire human journey, so that, Funeral Ceremony for the beloved family is one of the most important ceremony, and a “must” ceremony to do.
The Torajan named their attractive and unique funeral ceremony as Rambu Solo (Rambu = Smoke, Solo = turn down), for Tana Toraja custom, the family of the death must arranged such as ceremony (or party) as respect manifestation to the death, composition of Torajan Funeral Ceremony consist of series of rituals and parties.
The ceremony fee is very expensive, because the ceremony will be held for a long time, for days, with series of parties and rituals that need various conditions and tools. Thus, the Rambu Solo generally held after the family has enough fund to finance, this could be several weeks after, months after or even years after. During the waiting time, death body will be store in special room of their Tongkonan. According to Torajan Custom, not all families can held Rambu Solo, only the nobility and the privileged are allowed to organize it.
Ma’ Tau-Tau.
As usual in a custom ceremony, symbols are always come up, Ma’ Tau-Tau is also symbol, an effigy that personalizing the beloved who death. This effigy made as close as possible to the one who died: face, posture and favorite clothes.
There are many special custom terms and conditions in making this effigy, not all sculptors may make effigy, and the only special sculptors who named Topande can do. Sure, there are many custom requirements for sculptors to get a ‘license’ to be a Topande.
When a Topande work to make an effigy, some rituals also needed. During the creation process, they must sleep under Tongkonan where the bodies are stored. Before it, as preliminary, the Topande will hold a dedication ceremony; this ritual will bring chicken as a gift to the ancestors.
Tau-Tau Effigy put side to side with the body, dressed such a way, and treated like a human. The treat Tau-tau as human because they believe that the effigy has soul from the beloved who die, also believed that Tau-tau can be utilize as communication link between living world and the after died world.
Tau-tau then will be put in front of cemetery, when the funeral is completed and the body already passes away. As addition, according to Torajan costume, before Rambu Solo held, the died treated like a human live, no matter how long the distance between death time and funeral ceremony held.
Ma’badong.
This is one of some ritual that held on Rambu Solo funeral series, Ma’badong is form of farewell dance, this dance is perform to the death. The dance arranges generally by many men’s (but not always), the make a cycle by hold their hand each other’s. The main ritual must be done at west side of Tongkonan. The corpse is placed in the middle of the circle of the singers and dancers during Ma’badong held.
The Buffalos.
Buffalo are the main offerings animals, in ritual and ceremony on Toraja custom burial. Number of buffalo that offered on this expensive funeral will became a status symbol for families who perform. Not just one or two buffaloes are sacrificed, but can be up to tens or even there are more than one hundred.
However, buffalos offerings mainly is regarding to the local believe, Torajan people believe that the amount of buffalo offered in funeral ceremony will correlate with the place will given in after dead world, the more buffalo, the more better place there.
How to slaughter the buffalo may be quite sadistic, certainly, if we take a general perspective. They cut the neck of a buffalo when the buffalo was still standing, in one slash neck will be cut off and buffalo dead instantly. However, that was the customary rules require.
The meat of buffalo will be enjoy by all visitors who attending the ceremony.
Stone graves on the cliff:
The end of the place for died body for Torajan nobly is a unique Stone Graves on the Cliff, which spread out on the land of Toraja. The steepness of the cliff could be 90 degrees. Procession during moving the body from home to the graves also unique, not easy to put a coffin to a graves room located on perpendicular height. Each location on Tana Toraja has their own way and custom, but for all of them there are no sad impressions during procession held. For Torajan, death is something to respect, respect to person who pass away, and respect to death itself.
Walking corpse (Aluk Todolo):
In the western part of Toraja, there is also incredible tradition. For Torajan, departed ancestors did not lose touch with those who are still alive. They are still make connection with their family, included in all daily living, so that, people that try to maintain good relationship with them.
They have such very unusual and interesting ritual named Aluk Todolo, this ritual is the ritual of "calling" for going back home to the beloved those who died. There are such as rule to do this sacred ritual. The most incredible is the beloved corpse will walk home with no any help by human living. The corpse will back to sleep after reach their home if no restrictions violated along the way. Of course, need supra-natural power to run this ceremony. The corpse will back to graves when ritual finished.
While at home, the relatives, children and grandchildren, will take care of them should still be alive. Dressed in new clothes etc.
Though it is rare, this ritual can still be found on the western part of Tana Toraja, especially in rural areas are still tied more closely to the traditional rules.
Try to found the image by searching with keyword “mayat berjalan di Toraja” then you will find many photos of walking corpse in Toraja, you will find the peaceful faces of the mummy, this is another unique fact.
The corpse already became mummies naturally.
