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 !
