Toraja Culture

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TORAJA CULTURAL ADVENTURES

Drive through spectacular mountain, steep terraced slopes and tall bamboo forests to arrive in Toraja highland, the "Land of the Heavenly Kings". We will walk across the natural beauties of Toraja highland to experience unique culture of Toraja people which is based on animistic beliefs. Known for their grand burial ceremonies on cliffs or hanging graves, they practice an ancestral cult even today where death and afterlife ceremonies are great feasts when buffaloes are sacrificed in the final death ceremony, after which the deceased's remains are placed in a coffin and interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs.

Struck by the unusual architecture of the traditional Toraja house Tongkonan at Palawa. We will also make an easy trekking from Pana through the rice-field and some village down to Tikala to enjoy the beuties scenery of the highland.

SOUTH SULAWESI

The province of South Sulawesi comprises the narrow south-western peninsula of this orchid-shaped island which is mainly mountainous.

The sea-faring Bugis dominate the southern tip, whereas the northern part of South Sulawesi is inhabited by the Torajas whose unique culture rivals that of the Balinese. Famed for their seafaring heritage and Phinisi schooners for centuries, the Bugis possess to the present day one of the last sailing fleets in the world.

Further north, through rugged country is Tana Toraja, often referred to as the "Land of the Heavenly Kings".

An ethnic group who believes that their forefathers descended from heaven onto a mountain some twenty generations ago, the Torajas have a unique culture based on animistic beliefs. Known for their grand burial ceremonies on cliffs or hanging graves, they practice an ancestral cult even today where death and afterlife ceremonies are great feasts when buffaloes are sacrificed in the final death ceremony, after which the deceased's remains are placed in a coffin and interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs.

"Tongkonan" (family houses) are built on stilts with roofs on each end rising like the prows of a ship, representing the cosmos. The mountains offer a fantastic panorama of natural beauty, including the long drive from Ujung Pandang to Tana Toraja.

South Sulawesi is also known for its silk industry and silver-work whereas its economy is based on agriculture. Makassar/Ujung Pandang is easily accessible by air. There are several daily flights from Jakarta and also daily services from Bali, Surabaya and Manado.

UJUNG PANDANG (FORMERLY MAKASSAR): The provincial capital of Ujung Pandang has in its history played an important role as the gateway to the former kingdom of Gowa and now to the whole province because of its natural harbour. The centre of business and administration, the city has expanded outwards from its most important landmark, that of Benteng Ujung Pandang which faces the sea front.

PAOTERE ANCHORAGE: On the outskirts of Ujung Pandang, Paotere is where sailing boats and other small vessels anchor to unload their cargo. The setting casts a glow over the sea with the silhouettes of the boats. This scenery is most often photographed by tourists.

SUNGGUMINASA: Formerly the seat of the kings of Gowa, about 11 km. from Ujung Pandang is the old palace of wood, standing on stilts facing the town square across the administration office. Now the Ballalompoa Museum, weapons and costumes of royalty are on display in glass cases. The royal regalia which includes a stone studded gold crown weighing 1769 grams can be seen only on special request.

BULUKUMBA (BIRA): You will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 km from Ujung Pandang to the south. Traditional ship building is also located in this area. Not far from this area visitors can cross to the island of Selayar.

SENGKANG: The capital town of Wajo Regency is well-known for its silk weaving and therefore is the centre of Buginese silk. This area is populated by the Buginese ethnic group, known for their crossing to other islands as traders of silk, sarongs and other material. Here we can find lake Tempe, one of the tourist resorts. Sailing and boating can be enjoyed on this lake.

GOA MAMPU: The largest cave in South Sulawesi, the legendary cave of Mampu is about 140 km from the capital. Besides stalagmites and stalactites, rock formations resemble human figures and animals to which legends are attached. The cave is inhabited by bats that shriek and flutter around when bright lights pierce the darkness.

BANTIMURUNG: To the north of Ujung Pandang and driving east along the mountain range, is the Bantimurung waterfalls, about 41 km from the capital. A cascade of sparkling water gushes out between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. Here the air is filled with butterflies which fly from shrub to shrub over the water. These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world.

LEANG – LEANG: Now declared an archaeological site, these prehistoric caves have strange rock carvings of hands and a wild pigs, believed to be 5,000 years old. The road leads from Maros through the cave-riddled limestone hills to the site about half an hour's drive from the airport.

PARE – PARE: Pare-pare is a lunch stop along the road from Ujung Pandang to Toraja, through paddy-fields and typical Bugis houses made of wood and bamboo, built on stilts. Here we can find the museum Labangenge, located at jalan Bau Massepe No. 82, Pare-pare.

SOPENG: Another center of the silk industry, this spinning mill produces thread from silk worms. Weaving can be seen in many private homes along this route which is 240 km to the northeast of Ujung Pandang. The finest silk is hand-loomed by village women who individually need a whole month to produce two meters of silk. Visitors are welcome to stop and watch, or make a purchase if there is any readily available.

THE TORAJA LAND: Tana Toraja (Toraja Land), which lies in the north of the province is known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. The center of tourism is Rantepao, 328 km from Ujung Pandang by road. There are several small bungalow hotels at Rantepao, and Makale, the district capital. The entry to Tana Toraja is marked by a gate built in traditional boat-shaped architecture.

The road passes through the mountains of Kandora and Gandang on which, according to Toraja mythology, the first ancestors of celestial beings descended from heaven.

The majority of the people still follows an ancestral cult called "Aluk Todolo" which governs all traditional ceremonies. From Rantepao, side trips can be made to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops. Behind the village there is a grave site on a hillside. Life-size statues guard over old coffins. As roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walk if the weather is good (between May and October).

Two cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Londa is one of the oldest hanging graves belonging to the nobility. A large balcony is filled with effigies of the dead. Kerosene lamps with young village guides, can be hired to enter the caves to see skeletons and old coffins. At Lemo, burial chambers are cut out of the rock and several balconies filled with effigies look out while new caves are being dug to serve as family graves.

There are several grave sites and traditional villages of which Palawa is a classic example of a village on a small hill with "Tongkonan" or a burial place with celebrations and festivals. Visitors are welcome but they are expected to adhere to local customs of dress, seating and bringing a token present.

RANTEPAO: The small town of Rantepao is a major travellers' centre in the beautiful rugged hill country of Tana Toraja in Central Sulawesi. The rice-farming, pig-breeding, water-buffalo-loving Toraja who inhabit this region have become the focus of tourist attention thanks to their elaborate ceremonies, burial sites and traditional houses.

Of all the Torajan ceremonies, the most important are those concerned with sending a dead PEOPLE to the afterworld. Without proper funeral rites, the spirit of the deceased will cause misfortune to its family. Funeral sacrifices and feasts are meant to impress the gods with the importance of the deceased so that the spirit can intercede effectively on behalf of living relatives. Funerals can be spread out over several days and involve hundreds of guests and the sacrifice of scores of buffalo. Feasting, dancing and singing may be supplemented by cock-fighting, sisemba (kick-fighting) and even buffalo fights in which the bulls, quite rightly agitated by the insertion of chilli up their behind, lock horns and strain against each other.

If you are invited to a ceremony, be sure to dress respectfully, bring gifts to hand around and don't sit in areas designated for guests or family members. Taking photographs is acceptable, but do it with restraint. The best time to visit Rantepao is between March and May, though most funeral ceremonies are held in the `party season' lasting from July to September. July and August is the high season and hotel prices skyrocket.

ENREKANG: 236 km to the north of Ujung Pandang, you can see beautiful landscapes at Bambapuang, located 20 km from Enrekang to the north on the way to Tana Toraja. Here can be seen an erotic mountain called Batu Kabobong, by its shape formed by the valley and slopes. A rest house is built on an elevation, giving a clear view of the countryside.

TORAJA CULTURAL TOUR

Duration: 05 DAYS / 04 NIGHTS

Start & Finish: MAKASSAR AIRPORT

DAY 01: MAKASSAR – TORAJA LAND

Upon your arrival at Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, our guide meets you then take a drive journey by air-conditioned private car in approximately 08 hours to Tana Toraja, through the Bugis Villages with their typical houses on poles along the magnificent mountain passes. Lunch at local restaurant in Pare-Pare, a small port situated 155 kms north of Makassar. Late afternoon arrive in Toraja directly check-in at Madarana, a non star accommodation in Rantepao for accommodation and dinner (L, D).

DAY 02: TORAJA LAND

Breakfast at hotel then a full day excursion to Toraja Land by visiting the cliff-side stone graves with wooden effigies on the balcony at Lemo, the royal family tombs at Suaya, the baby grave in the huge tree at Kambira and enjoy the cultural performance at Sanggala with lunch served at local restaurant in town. Next visit to a natural cave at Londa before proceed to the traditional wooden carving village at Kete Kesu Village. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).

DAY 03: TORAJA LAND

Explore other interesting sites of Toraja Land. We visit Palawa, the most beautiful traditional village with buffalo horns in front off their houses. Sa’dan is famous for its cotton weaving. Next to the ancient megalithic stone at Bori and proceed to Sesean for a stunning view of large rice-field terrace at Batumonga, where we stop for lunch at local restaurant. Visit another boulder graves at Lokomata then a walk from Pana to Tikala through the rice-field and some village to observe more local people daily activities. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight (B, L, D).

DAY 04: TORAJA FREE PROGRAM

After breakfast at hotel, day is a free. Explore the highland on your own way to enjoy the unique cultures, beautiful landscape and the fresh and cool atmosphere of Toraja Highland. Lunch and dinner will be arranged at the hotel.

DAY 05: TORAJA LAND – MAKASSAR AIRPORT – OUT

After breakfast at hotel, we leave Toraja for a long drive to Makassar with stop en route for lunch at Pare-Pare. Continue drive to Makassar Airport for your flight to your next destination (B).

TORAJA & BUGIS CULTURAL TOUR

Duration: 07 DAYS / 06 NIGHTS

Start & Finish: UJUNG PANDANG – SOUTH SULAWESI

DAY 01: MAKASSAR – TORAJA LAND

Upon your arrival at Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, our guide meets you then take a drive journey by air-conditioned private car in approximately 08 hours to Tana Toraja, through the Bugis Villages with their typical houses on poles along the magnificent mountain passes. Lunch at local restaurant in Pare-Pare, a small port situated 155 kms north of Makassar. Late afternoon arrive in Toraja directly check-in at Madarana, a non star hotel in Rantepao for accommodation and dinner (L, D).

DAY 02: TORAJA LAND

DAY 03: TORAJA LAND

DAY 04: TORAJA LAND – SENGKANG

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Sengkang via Palopo with lunch enroute.

Arrive in Sengkang check-in at hotel and then proceed to take a boat-trip on the lake TEMPE to visit the floating-houses, the way of life of those who live at the lakeside. Visit the silk weaving village in Sengkang before back to hotel for dinner and overnight at Apada, a non star but the best available hotel in town (B, L, D).

DAY 05: SENGKANG – BIRA

After breakfast leave Sengkang for Bira where you can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach or you can arrange yourselves for diving and snorkeling trips to the islands nearby. Overnight at Bira Beach Hotel, a non star accommodation (B, L, D).

DAY 06: BIRA – MAKASSAR

After breakfast at hotel, we drive back to Makassar with stop en route for lunch and stop at Tana Beru the undisputed capital of south-coast ‘Bugis Phinisi’ is made in traditional way. Afternoon arrive in Makassar. Check-in to Losari Beach 3 star hotel for your accommodation. Evening free program with dinner on personal expenses (B, L).

DAY 07: MAKASSAR DEPARTURE

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for flight to your next destination (B)

INCLUDED:

Airport transfers
Private land transportation by air-conditioned car/bus.
Traditional boat for Danau Tempe lake cruising.
Accommodations as per the itinerary
Meals as per the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
Tours & Services as per the itinerary
Permits and Donations
English speaking guide

EXCLUDED:

Flights
Travel insurance
Extra meals
Alcoholic beverages and mini bar at Hotel
Laundry and other personal expenses
Optional Tours
Tips and Any expenses due to flight delay or cancellation.

WHAT TO BRING:

Good and comfortable trekking shoes
Comfortable cloths and T – Shirt
Sandals/slippers
Warm cloth
Rain coats
Day pack
Flash light
Binocular
Camera
Personal medicine and first aid kit and other personal things.

Important: Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you upon receipt of final payment.

All itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.

Prices for- Indonesia Trekking and Adventure