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• UJUNG PANDANG - MAKASAR Paotere Anchorage Samalona Island Sungguminasa The Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin Malino Bulukumba Mampu Cave Bantimurung Leang-Leang Historic Park • PARE-PARE Sengkang Soppeng Enrekang Polewali - Mamasa (Polmas) • TANATORAJA Sangalla Lemo Londa Kete Kesu Marante Makale rantepao Suaya (King Suaya Graveyard) To'Barana Sa'Dang Palawa Nanggala Buntao Tondon Batutumonga Lokomata Makula Bari Buntu Kalando Penanian Karassik |
TANATORAJA Before the Dutch come to power in this high land in 20th century, there was no even a single word given for the name of their religion. Instead of the word “Aluk”, which refers to a ritual ways and daily lives activities that are to be controlled without special instruction, of how to build a house, to cook rice, to greet boys an the head of the village, and the number of buffaloes and pigs that must be slaughtered in every ritual ceremony. One of the principles of this teaching is to apply 'give and take' tradition among them. Blesses and curses used to come between the one who is still a life and the spirits of his or her ancestry. The most prestigious ceremony in Tanatoraja is the death ceremonial. More than a half of Tanatoraja people, are Christians. They still up hold and proud of their cultural heritage in welcoming the guests ritually. Makale is the capital of Tanatoraja regency. Most of the steep hills here are crowned with the churh towers, while the new government offices dominate the valley. Most of the office takes the form of Torajan's traditional houses with the specific curved roofs and carvings. Tondon, Suaya, and Sangalla are the places, which directly connected with the West Toraja. During the market days, these towns seems to be the center of the activities because people from a distance come with their home industry products such as mats, baskets, carvings and cattle. Tana Toraja, (Toraja Land), which lies in the north of the province is known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. The center of tourism is Rantepao, 328 km from Ujung Pandang by road. There are several small bungalow hotels at Rantepao, and Makale, the district capital. A gate built in traditional boat-shaped architecture marks the entry to TanaToraja. The road passes through the mountains of Kandora and Gandang on which, according to Toraja mythology, the first ancestors of celestial beings descended from heaven. The majority of the people still follow an ancestral cult called "Aluk Todolo" which governs all traditional ceremonies. From Rantepao, side trips can be made to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops. Behind the village there is a gravesite on a hillside. Life-size statues guard over old coffins. As roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walk if the weather is good (between May and October). Two cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Londa is one of the oldest hanging graves belonging to the nobility. A large balcony is filled with effigies of the dead. Kerosene lamps with young village guides can be hired to enter the caves to see skeletons and old coffins. At Lemo, burial chambers are cut out of the rock and several balconies filled with effigies look out while new caves are being dug to serve as family graves. There are several gravesites and traditional villages
of which Palawa is a classic example of a village on a small hill
with "Tongkonan" or a burial place with celebrations and
festivals. Visitors are welcome but they are expected to adhere
to local customs of dress, seating and bringing a token present.
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Tanatoraja is one of the beautiful regions in South Sulawesi, in
Indonesia as well. From a distance, ones can see the jagged ridges
of the hills stretching side by side along the slopes of the mountains.
More than this, ones can also find beautiful valley in which bamboos
and sugar palms grow up, and the traditional houses with curved
roof among the paddy fields that are beautiful and naturally carved
and colored by the skillful of Tanatoraja people.
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