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Safely protected beyond the lofty
mountains and rugged granite cliffs of the central highlands of the
island of Sulawesi, are the Torajan People who live in valleys that are lush with green rice terraces and fertile coffee plantations.
"Discovered" and opened to the world
from their long isolation only since the beginning of the last century,
the Toraja today still adhere to their age-old beliefs, rituals and
traditions, although many of her people are modernized or have embraced
Christianity.
When one travels to the Tana Toraja
highlands, therefore, expect to be awed by the spectacular beauty of
nature, at the same time experience how communities have through the
ages sustained their beliefs and traditions in splendid isolation in
order to survive this eternal cycle of life and death on earth.
The road from Makassar to Toraja runs along the coast for about 130 km's and then hits the
mountains. After the entrance to Tana Toraja at the market village of
Mebali one enters a majestic landscape of giant, gray granites and
stones and blue mountains afar that form a sharp contrast with the
lively green of the fertile, rain-fed terraces and the rusty red of the
tropical soil. This is Tana Toraja, one of the most splendid areas in
Indonesia.
Here, the nobility of Toraja are
believed to be descendents of heavenly beings who came down by a
heavenly stairway to live here on earth in this beautiful landscape.
And to keep up the energy of the land and its people, the Toraja people believe that these must be sustained through Torajan Ritual Cycle
that celebrate both life and death, which are attached to the
agricultural seasons. Here rituals in connection with life are strictly
separated from death rites.
Toraja is most well known for its elaborate Funeral Ceremonies of Torajan Heritage that
can take days and involve entire villages. These are not only moments
for mourning but are moreover events to renew family ties and to ensure
continued unity among villages and communities.
Death ceremonies, however, are held only
after the last rice harvest is in and cleared, which is normally
between July to September, while ceremonies celebrating life are held in
conjunction with the planting season which starts in October. These
timings are possible since the dead are not buried immediately but are
kept for months, sometimes for years, in the ancestral house until time
and funds allow for a proper funeral.
Tourists to Toraja, therefore, are
either attracted by its unique culture and rituals, most of which are
mostly centered around graves and death ceremonies. While others prefer
to avoid the morbid images and go trekking through the spectacular,
almost untouched Toraja countryside visiting remote villages, or
exhilarate in rafting the Sa'dan river rapids.
Capital of Toraja is Makale but visitors
usually head to the town of Rantepao, heart of Tana Toraja - the Land
of the Toraja people.
To reach Toraja take a plane to
Makassar. There are daily flights from Jakarta and Bali and regular
flights from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. It takes between six to eight hours
by road to reach Toraja. While the journey may be long, but you will be
well awarded with the magnificent panoroma of the Toraja highlands.
There are many good Hotel in Makale, Ranteapo and surrounding.
Experienced IQRA' Tour Organizer to take you around. Toraja is ideal for those enjoying ecotours, culture and adventur
Experienced IQRA' Tour Organizer to take you around. Toraja is ideal for those enjoying ecotours, culture and adventur
Please Click "Email" For Making Reservation !
IQRA' Tour Organizer
Makassar - South Sulawesi
Indonesia
Indonesia
E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk
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