4. Eksploring Tana Toraja

2 May 2011

Indonesia is known as a beutiful country. As an island nation, Indonesia has many island and beuatiful beach. However, foreign visitor usually only visited Bali or Lombok. In fact, Indonesia has many beautiful and fascinating place except Bali and Lombok which is not known by many people. If i have a chance to give an alternative place for foreign visitor, i will recommend Tana Toraja.

Tana toraja is located in south Sulawesi, north side of Makasar. Like other cities in Indonesia, Tana Toraja also has many mountains and forest and also many tradition which is very unique and different from other. Actually Tana Toraja has many fascinating place which you have to visit, but i only want to explain some of them.

The first is Tongkonan Palawa. Tongkonan Palawa is one of the most unique custom house in Indonesia. It is located in bamboo plantation on the top of the hill. It is decorated by buffalo horn which is plugged in front of the house. A long time ago, there is a tradition in there. If there is a war between the village and there is a rival who has been killed, his blood was drunk and the flesh was chopped. It is called Pa’lawak. At the middle of 11^th century, Pa’lawak was changed be Palawa’. So, Palawa’ was created be the name of the village and the tradition was changed to eat chicken. Tongkonan Palawa also has “rante” was called “Rante Pa’padunan” and “Liang Tua (Grave stone)” in Tiro Allu and Kamandi. Besides, it was also built “Lumbung or Alang Sura (a place to store rice)” as much as 5.

The second is Lemo. Lemo is a grave stone or place where the corpse with a form of holes in the wall rocks. This place is the product of Toraja’s creations which is remarkable. The grave was already there is 16^th century which is made by sculpting using very simple equipment. There are some stone canal model with circular shape and spots of orange or lemon. So, it was named Lemo and the grave stone is called a “Liang Pa’a”. There are 75 holes in the wall of the rock, like the statues that lined up and called “Tau-Tau”. This statue is a symbol of social position, status, and their role during the life of the local nobility.

The last is Londa. Londa is one of the unique funeral in Tana Toraja. Formerly, Londa is the family cemetry which was opened to the public to becomes the object of tourism. Tombs at Londa is somewhat unique because the corpse is only incorporated into the coffin and placed in stone cave. There are also many skeletons that have been there hundreds of years old. Same with Lemo, Londa is the burial place of the rock walls and sculputures (tau-tau). Inside the cave, there are many human skull. The nobility who died was placed at the top of the cave with rocks that are very rocky and very difficult to achieve, and also visitors rarely have the courage to ride. The cave is very unique and luxurious and in the crate, there are many valuable things that come stored. One thing to keep in mind that someone who visited the Londa, have to request permission to carry betel nut or flower. It is very taboo to take or move the bones, skull, or the bodies that exist in this cave.

That is all of the unique place in Tana Toraja. So, if you have time and money, you can visit Tana Toraja. I am sure that you will no regret if you visit Tana Toraja.