What is the purpose of the funeral for the Tana Toraja?
For Torajans, a funeral is not a sad occurrence but rather a celebration of the life of the person. The family, as well as guests, provides water buffalos and pigs for sacrifice and to feed the masses.
What is the Rambu solo ceremony?
One of these in Indonesia is called rambu solo’ performed by Torajan people in Toraja (or Tana Toraja). Rambu solo’ is a traditional funeral ceremony, which aims to respect the spirits in returning to the immortality life with their ancestors.
Where does Toraja people come from?
The Torajans are an ethnic group indigenous to a mountainous region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Their population is approximately 1,100,000, of whom 450,000 live in the regency of Tana Toraja (“Land of Toraja”).
Why are buffalos important to Tana Toraja?
Buffalo are a status symbol for the Toraja and are of paramount importance in various religious ceremonies. The buffalo has traditionally been a symbol of wealth and power; even land could be bought with buffalo. Sought-after albino buffalo can change hands for more than US$8000.
What is living with the dead Indonesia?
In a mountainous area of Indonesia, the Toraja people mummify the bodies of the deceased and care for their preserved bodies as though they are still living. The Torajan people believe that after death the soul remains in the house so the dead are treated to food, clothing, water, cigarettes.
What is a Rambu?
Rambu Solo Ceremony is ceremonial death Toraja society that aims to honor and deliver the souls of the deceased to the realm of soul, that is, back to eternity with their ancestors in a resting place. It is actually a procession of the death. …
What culture keeps dead relatives?
In a mountainous area of Indonesia, the Toraja people mummify the bodies of the deceased and care for their preserved bodies as though they are still living.
Where dead bodies are kept?
mortuary
A mortuary is a room or area, often in a hospital, where dead bodies are kept. You can also use the word mortuary to talk about a funeral home. When a person dies in a hospital, his body is usually moved to a mortuary before an autopsy takes place. A mortuary is also where a body is kept until it’s buried or cremated.
What’s the name of the Toraja burial ceremony?
In the local language the funeral is called Rambu Solo. This ceremony has many meanings so many tourists are interested to witness the funeral ritual. Toraja burial rituals are usually performed months or even years after someone’s death.
Why is Tana Toraja the most expensive place to die?
When the funeral will held, people of Tana Toraja focus all of their time and money on funerals for their loved ones, the funeral preparations spend cost a fortune, thats why some paople say that Tana Toraja is one of the most expensive places to die.
How many water buffalo are sacrificed at a Toraja funeral?
A minimum of 6 water buffalo (at over 100 Million Rupiah each!) are sacrificed at a Torajan funeral, but can be as many as 100 buffalo for those thought of as noble people with high standing in society.
Where does the tongkonan funeral take place in Indonesia?
Each funeral is carried out in two parts: the first ceremony (dipalambi’i) occurs just after death in the tongkonan house. The second and larger ceremony may occur months or even years after the death. Nowdays the ceremony has become a magnet custom tour of South Sulawesi Province and eastern Indonesia.