tana toraja is also known as land of the heavenly kings as the torajans believe their ancestors came fr heaven. and thus, funerals for the dead are often a unique and grand for the reason that the dead has to be sent back to heaven, the place he originated in. prior to this custom, its common for the torajans to keep the dead in their house for months or maybe years while saving for sufficient funds and waiting for the rice harvest. a proper funeral may usually last up to few days/weeks and the entire function will cost abt RM100,000 or more as many buffalos/goats/pigs will be slaughtered to mourn the dead *more like a celebration as there will be music/dance performance or even bull fighting during the funeral*.
buffalo head on a traditional house, tongkonan. buffalo represents wealth in torajan culture.
hanging graves at lemo. coffins were inserted in the cliff and a tau-tau puppet which resembles the dead was placed in front of each grave. there is also a tree grave for dead babies which i forgot to take a pic. fact is, i suddenly became pantang so i din take any pic of graveyard!!
hanging graves in background.
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