Portal:Indonesia/AOTW/39, 2006

The Toraja ethnic group is indigenous to a mountainous region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The population is about 650,000 people, of which 450,000 still live in Tana Toraja (or the land of Toraja) Regency. The majority of the population is Christian, with Muslim minority, although many local animist traditions and beliefs remain strongly held. In 1969, the Torajan religion, called Aluk To Dolo (or the law of ancestors), was officially recognized as a sect of Agama Hindu Dharma, the official Hinduism name, by the Indonesian government.

The word "toraja" comes from the Bugis language: "to ri aja" means "people of the uplands" or "people up river". It also comes from the Makassarese language: "to" and "raja", meaning "people up north". The term Toraja was introduced by the Dutch colonial government in 1909.

Torajans are famous for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites and wood carvings. Torajan funeral rites, especially those of rich noblemen, are major social events, which are often attended by hundreds of people and run for several days. Many water buffalos and pigs are slaughtered, and a significant portion of a family's resources is often devoted to the ritual. (Read more...)