INDONESIA TORAJA - PARADISE REDEFINED

On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. The nature of Toraja, once it as pieces its spell , anchors you in its net of bewilderment eternally , bestowing a reminiscence of titillation and a glimpse of astonishment. Let the land embrace you while the water beats upon your heart with remedying liquid drops and allow the air to sing you a melody of serenity.

Mai' ting and Sa'dan White Water Rapids
Bathe in the rays of tropical sun while the rush of the rapids below keeps you refreshed. The roaring waterfalls in various magnitudes will fulfill in inhibitions of thrill seekers and adventures alike. Set your sights to see the steep canyons and valleys embodying the kaleidoscope of the land itself, accompanied by natural wildlife displaying the eternal wonders embedded within.

If Mai'thing is not enough to spark your inner wild soul, scooch over to Sa'dan river, where the waterfalls constantly concoct the watery moist as a challenge for anyone daring to venture in.

Trekking
Explore the wonders of hilltops of Toraja as you travel along the ridges of Makale and Rantepao. Bring your rain gear and flashlight for an adventurous journey through the different hues of Tarajan colours , starting from a string of calm villages to wander upon, continuing to the cliffs and hillsides with terrains that is sure to keep you on the edge of your adrenaline rush. Begin either from Makale or Rantepao. Prepare yourself walk 784 meters above sea level with stunning sceneries. See thee different cultural wonders in the traditional buildings, rocky terrains and the natural wildlife spread before you. Cocoa trees bathing in sunrays , lush coffee plantations , ferns and Miana trees are abundant throughout the trek. With a guide, you will always be on the right track towards the unreal bewilderment of your liking.

Batutumonga
Enter the heart of serene villages and see what makes the life of a Torajan so simple and yet so laidback in its essence .Stop by the rice fields and touch the soil where the heart of Tarajan lies and traverse into misty forests of the rising dawn. the alluring beauty of the landscape will stupefy your soul.

INDONESIA TORAJA - HISTORICAL WAY OF LIFE

ANCESTRAL TRADITIONS ARE WELL PRESERVED AND IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE PEACEFUL COMMUNAL SOCIETY

The life and origins of Toraja people are shrouded in myths. Northen Torajans believe that their ancestor sailed from the north , almost certainly from China. Northerners beliefs also mentioned the importance of women in Torajan culture. A long haired beautiful woman named Landorundun is told to be the personification of wealth and a daughter of Sadan noble is believed to be married with the Creator ( Puang Matua) himself, allowing more procreation on earth. In contrast with northerners' myths revolved around life and fertility, Toraja southerners' myths center around war ( Rari) , characterized by sacrifice and death. 

The southerners myth tells about Tamboro Langi' and Lakipada who descened from the sky with stair. Tamboro Langi' established Sangalla' Kingdom and initiated contact with other kingdoms in South Sulawesi. Lakipada , on the other hand, is a theologian that preaches about th existence of afterlife ( Puya) . 

Lakipada's teaching continues to be the center of Toraja culltuntil present day. We can see the influences of his teaching  in Rambu ' Solo ( burial) ceremony , Ma'nene ( changing clothes of the deceased) ceremony and the famed cliff or cave cemetery. 

In the past , Toraja isolation restrained the development of its civilization and halted their communication and transportation attempts. It grew at a slower rate compared to the people of Bugis or Makassar living in the lowland. Even though  all flats land on their territory are used as rice fields, the productions are barely enough to feed everyone, making the Torajans live in a small and concentrated community with high self sufficiency. 

SERENE KINSHIP

In present day, Toraja people maintain their peaceful communal life. They have castes defining the social standards through their ancestral heraldry. When problems arise, they huddle up together and find the solutions as an extensive family. Torajans love having guests , including tourist, probably because in the past guests are rare and visitors must have endured a tiring journey to reach the village. The common greeting when one walk past another man's house or visiting is " Manasumoraka' roughly translated as " Have you cooked?" implying that there are no boundaries to be of concern between guests and the host. Simply statedm Torajans are friendly, humble and welcoming to adventures and explorers alike. So don't be afraid to greet them in your journey !

INDONESIA TORAJA- THE CORE OF LIFE

TORAJANS BELIEVE THAT A HOUSE IS NOT JUST A HOME, IT'S A SMALL UNIVERSE

Tongkonan is not just a home. It's a small universe for every Torajan. Tongkonan, a wonder of architecture from the dawn of Toraja civilization, is far from a simple abode. The traditional house represents an intricate relation between generations. It serves a dutiful purpose to uphold peace and value in the society.

A Tongkonan belongs to To Ma'rapu , a family clan related by blood. To Parengnge ', an elder of such a clan is responsible to teach the extened family within his Tongkonan about the ancestral ways of life. A Tongkonan has its own set of family law and value, executed through Tarian Pitu or seven ethnic justice systems. The lack of writing culture doesn't see to leave the legacy untold, since they are ingrained and passed through practice.

When you venture around Toraja, you will  notice that Tongkonan is always paired by rice storage called Alang. Alang symbolizes father that feeds his family, as opposed to Tongkonan maternal role as caregiver. A larger Tongkonan is also supported by the other elements such as watering hole, animal pen, family graves and plantation which make the complex a small self-sufficient ecosystem.

To build a Tongkonan, a family branch must carry out 5 stages of an intricate ceremony. Extended family members will have to work side by side to share high expenses and complicated requirements of those paramount ceremonies. After approved by a traditional council, the new glorious creation will then have its significant role amongst Torajan family tree.

Circling Back to The Beginning
No matter how far a Torajan travels, his/her life will always circle back to the Tongkonan. The moment of birth, the bonding of love  and the final resting place is and always will be in Tongkonan building, where every other family members will join on the festivities.

Emerging Affinity
Tongkonan yields ,ore than just shelter. As a very significant point in Toraja community , it grows into reference points which determine human relations. To express their relations with others, Torajans say that  their house are united " or that they are " brothers and sisters" in a certain house, granting themselves a profound sense of belonging and reinforcing their clan system. The bond that links Torajan family is not merely on blood, but of respect and affection in each other's life.

Lively atmosphere can be genuinely encountered in a Tongkonan. Members of a clan oftentimes gather to discuss important affairs like marriages , heritages or social conflicts , enabling themselves to resolve problems through intimate and amiable way. 

INDONESIA TORAJA

After a wondrous journey that moves you through interchanging sights of stunning granite cliffs, lofty mountain and vast sea, you will arrive in Toraja .

On this land, old ways live on. The inevitable stream of modernization and globalization does not diminish traditional values. Instead , new ideas like Christianity sychronizes harmoniously with local customs, making Toraja is the only place on modern earth with living megalithic culture.

Enveloped by magnificent natural landscape , Toraja is a life changing experience waiting to be explored.Split into 2 regions - Tana Toraja and Toraja Utara - 32 cultural villages stand in unison.

Alongside their rich culture and traditions, Toraja also treausres abundant myths about the origin of its name. Buginese called the scared highlands " To Riaja " or a place where northern people lived
( " to" means people, while " Riaja" means north)

People of Luwu Kingdom had their own way of naming , referring a it to " To Rajang"  or a place where the southerners lived. On the edge of the southern peninsula, people heard stories about a royal descendant knowns as Puang Lakipadada who came to Gowa Kingdom in 13th century to find eternal life. Gowanese called him " Tau Raya" or the man from the east, thus the place was also known as " tana Tau Raya" ( Tana means land , Tau means man" and Raya means east) . Coming from various origins, the legends presumably lead to the name " Toraja" as we know now.

INDONESIA TORAJA - A STRING THAT BONDS ALL

The arable land of Toraja is very limited due to its rocky terrain. It is isolated by natural barrier, making it hard to trade with outsiders. On this condition, ancient people in Toraja must have relied on very limited resources they had. To survive as a society, they cannot afford to be greedy or selfish.

The living condition turns Toraja into a self-fulfilling ecosystem. And with limited options at hand, Toraja Ancestor chose the oldest and most compelling art of survival: harmony.
Torajans believe there's a tie (lolo) that attaches human , animals and plants in one system. In order for human to survive, one must care for animals and plants . If one of the three is harmed, all of them will suffer the consequences. This philisophy is called Tallu Lolona.

Tallu Lolona is a teaching of Aluk Todolo, an ancestral religion dating back to Torajan mythical past. The ancient faith teaches Torajans to respect their parents, elders, ancestors and the balance of life in general.

Immune to the Ravages of Time 
This philosophy lives on , even when modernization makes Toraja no longer dependent on harmony to survive. Toraja is still and will strive for the balance between human , animals and plants. The prized water buffalo, for example, is often massaged, hand -fed, bathed and let loose in the field to relax. The people are very gentle in nature, not only towards the animals, but to each human being venturing into their land. Pilfer or theft is uncommon , even for foreigners visiting. The plants are nourished not only by viable sources of nutrients, but with heart as well as part of the circle of life that adjoins the land.

As the teaching representing the ancestral spirits themselves, Tallu Lolona is the ultimate bond that binds all living entities in this mythical highland. It is the solemn sentinel that watches over in silence, existing through the veins of every breathing organism, spreading through the people themselves.