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When
approximate amounts of funds have been pledged by members of the family
of the deceased Don or patriarch to ascertain that a funeral ceremony
can be held, a meeting is gathered in the village attended by all family
members, traditional aluk leaders and village heads to discuss details
of the funeral ceremony, funds required, the minimum number of buffaloes
to be slaughtered, - for guests may run into the thousands, - and most
importantly, the actual date of the funeral.
All know that funerals may take place
only after the harvest and before the first sowing of the rice seeds,
which normally falls between July and September.
Toraja Funeral Ceremonies are not only
sad events, but are occasions for entire families to gather from around
the globe, and for villagers to participate in communal events, renewing
relationships and reconfirming beliefs and traditions in the way of the
ancestors.
In preparation of the Funeral Ceremony, villagers and family members build a tower on the designated ceremonial site where the meat of slaughtered cattle will be distributed during the event. In the centre of the ground is planted a stake where the sacrificial buffalo will be tied to and stabbed. Around the large site are built temporary shelters forming balconies where people can watch proceedings below.
In preparation of the Funeral Ceremony, villagers and family members build a tower on the designated ceremonial site where the meat of slaughtered cattle will be distributed during the event. In the centre of the ground is planted a stake where the sacrificial buffalo will be tied to and stabbed. Around the large site are built temporary shelters forming balconies where people can watch proceedings below.
The next day the coffin of the deceased
is moved down from the Tongkonan to the floor of the rice barn where
decorations are made around the bier.
Before the actual public ceremony begins, a priest or pastor will hold a Catholic mass or Protestant service for the family.
Then the public funeral starts. The day before, guests from all over Toraja, and relatives and descendents of the deceased arrive from many parts of Indonesia or even from overseas, to gather and attend this most important ceremony.
Then the public funeral starts. The day before, guests from all over Toraja, and relatives and descendents of the deceased arrive from many parts of Indonesia or even from overseas, to gather and attend this most important ceremony.
The first official day is dedicated to
the seemingly endless formal procession called Ma’passa Tedong where
persons, families, groups, bring with them their gifts and contributions
ranging from water buffaloes to pigs, rice or alcoholic drinks. All
gifts are meticulously registered and announced while donors will show
off their gifts by walking around the ceremonial area. Everyone watches
who gives what, so that the occasion is not only to confirm one’s status
and wealth in society, but also to express former debts repaid, or even
new ones made. In the evening, the coffin is brought by hundreds of
people to the ceremonial site - called Rante and placed on the high
house. After the procession, start the exciting and rowdy buffalo
fights, where a lot of betting goes on.
The next day the committee tallies all
gifts, and the family then decides how many buffaloes and pigs will be
slaughtered and distributed to guests, and how many given to charity to
neighbouring poor villages. Most expensive are the prized pied
buffaloes.
The following day comes the actual
slaughtering of the cattle for their meat to be distributed for meals to
the thousands attending the ceremony that lasts for over a week. The
slaughter of the sacrificial buffalo is done in public. This happens
very fast and sure, where the buffalo is stabbed directly into its heart
and collapses immediately. The buffalo is then hacked and its meat
distributed from here, where each part is allocated to a specified
person or group whose name is called out, with prime cuts given to the
most important in status.
Foreigners and tourists may also be
given a cut, which gives this ceremony a universal status drawing
prestigious people from afar.
Finally on the actual day of burial, called : Ma’Kaburu’ will the coffin be carried in ceremonial procession by the thousands of villagers to the grave site passing green rice fields to its last resting place in the caves or the crypts high up in the rock faces of the hanging graves. (Source:” Periplus: Sulawesi, The Celebes” and other information)
Finally on the actual day of burial, called : Ma’Kaburu’ will the coffin be carried in ceremonial procession by the thousands of villagers to the grave site passing green rice fields to its last resting place in the caves or the crypts high up in the rock faces of the hanging graves. (Source:” Periplus: Sulawesi, The Celebes” and other information)
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Indonesia
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