Tana Toraja
From Freepedia
Image:TorajaArt.JPG Tana Toraja ("Land of the Toraja") is a mountainous region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The population is estimated at between 300,000 to 600,000 people, comprised mostly of ethnic Torajans. The capital of the region is Makale.
Although much of the population is Christian, with a Muslim minority, many local animist traditions and beliefs remain strongly held. The Sa'dan Toraja claimed their religion, Aluk To Dolo, as part of the Hindu religion in order to defend themselves against the conversion to christianity.
Torajans are famous for their elaborate funeral rites. Funerals are major social events, often attended by hundreds of people and running for several days. Especially at the funeral of a more prosperous person, may buffaloes and pigs are slaughtered. Caves and cavities carved in cliffs are often used as burial sites; coffins may also be hung on cliff faces.
Traditional Torajan dwellings have massive, peaked roofs, sometimes described as the shape of a bull's horns, with large overhangs. The outside of these houses are often decorated with detailed wooden carvings.
External links
- Toraja.go.id - Official Toraja government website
- Toraja.solata.net Toraja on the Net - news and commentary in Indonesian
- batusura.de - A personal website containing photography and recorded music from Toraja
- Indahnesia.com - commercial tourist information
- Life and Death in Torajaland - Liz Price, Wild Asia
