Sulawesi

Bali Flores Irian Jaya Java Komodo Moluka Moluka islands Selayar Sulawesi Palopo, Sulawesi Sumatra Surabaya Tingall, Java Toraja Yogyakarta

the Toraja in Sulawesi

From my visit in 1991.

The island of Sulawesi contains a great variety of exotic peoples, landscapes and natural wonders.

 

the green valley

Tucked away amid the rugged peaks and fertile plateaus of South-Central Sulawesi live many isolated tribes, who share a common ancestry with the seafaring Bugis, Mandar and Makassar peoples of the coasts, conservatively maintaining many ancient crafts and customs. Coastal dwellers refer to these tribes collectively as the Toraja or "highland people".

 

The roofs of this "alang" (yam storage building) rises at both ends like the bow and stern of a boat.

 

 

newer style homes next to traditional storage buildings

 

the traditional residences on the hill above the newer town

 

houses in a row

 

suburban

 

newer structure

 

House panels of the "tongkonan" dwellings are exquisitely carved often with a water buffalo motif.

 

Many cattle are slaughtered at special occasions.

 

 

 

horns of the water buffalo
probably from many feasts

 

The boy has the honor of caring for the buffalo.

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The Toraja are perhaps best know for the elaborate, colorful feasts for the dead. Many buffalos and pigs are slaughtered, at the feast which can occur even long after the person's death.

 

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Tau-tau effigies installed on a high cliff balcony overlooking the green valley of the Toraja.

More about Toraja Funeral customs

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elaborate storage house

 

caring for the water buffalo

 

on the path

 

chicken pens
for meat or fighting?

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the village of

Palopo

on the East coast of Sulawesi

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Bali Flores Irian Jaya Java Komodo Moluka Moluka islands Selayar Sulawesi Palopo, Sulawesi Sumatra Surabaya Tingall, Java Toraja Yogyakarta

 

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The Indonesian Island of Bali

 

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Flores

 

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Irian Jaya

 

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The Indonesian Island of Java

 

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The Indonesian Island of Komodo

 

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The Indonesian Islands of MOLUKA

 

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The Indonesian Island of Selayar

 

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The Indonesian Island of Sulawesi

 

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The Indonesian Island of Sumatra

 

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