Here's how they do it in... Indonesia
| 1.7 minutes reading time
Tana Toraja is an area in South Sulawesi in Indonesia. Although most Torajans converted to Christianity in colonial times, many of the old religious practices live on. The houses (tongkonan) of the people in Toraja land have a special shape. The roofs decorated with geometric patterns somewhat resemble upside-down ships. Tana Toraja is known for its elaborate and costly funeral rituals. Many water buffaloes (carts) and pigs are slaughtered in honour of the deceased at these festivities. The deceased are sometimes 'stored' (embalmed) in or near the family's house for a long time before they are buried in special caves located in steep rock faces. The wooden figurines (which often somewhat resemble the deceased himself) serve as protection.
Torajans talk about death all their lives, as it is not a final farewell for them. Torajans are taught from an early age that death is part of life. And when a person dies, food, water, and even cigarettes are offered every day because Toraja believe that the soul stays close to the body. The deceased are often kept in a tongkonan for several months, sometimes even decades, until the funeral can be paid for. Meanwhile, the smell is neutralized with dried plants.
The importance of the water buffalo
The deceased is only officially declared dead when a sacrificed water buffalo breathes its last. Only then can the soul of the deceased depart for heaven (Puya). According to the Aluk To Dolo, the religion of the Torajans, 24 buffaloes is the perfect number. The exact number is determined by the chief and is then discussed with the family. Some guests bring a buffalo as a gift. Close relatives of the deceased are expected to contribute at least one buffalo. And to think that a buffalo can cost tens of thousands of euros. The price is determined based on the skin, the length of the horns, and the color of his eyes. If there are a lot of buffaloes to sacrifice, the funeral can take quite a long time.
Caring for the ancestors
The funeral ceremony can take anywhere from three to five days to complete. Only then will the deceased be buried. The tribe gathers every few years for the ritual Ma'nene, which can best be translated as 'care for ancestors'. The deceased are taken from their graves, cleaned and provided with new clothes. Then they go back to their graves.
The Toraja turn the ceremony into a celebration. Family members come from far away to celebrate the ceremony. They tell each other stories and remember their loved ones.
