Toraja people facts for kids
Toraja traditional house, tongkonan.
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 650,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi | |
| Languages | |
| Toraja-Sa'dan, Kalumpang, Mamasa, Ta'e, Talondo', and Toala'. | |
| Religion | |
| Protestant: 65.15%, Catholic: 16.97%, Islam: 5.99% and Torajan Hindu (Aluk To Dolo): 5.99%. | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bugis, Makassarese |
The Toraja are a special group of people who live in a part of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. There are about 650,000 Toraja people in the world. About 450,000 of them still live in an area called Tana Toraja, which means "Land of Toraja."
Most Toraja people are Christian. Some are Muslim, and others follow old local beliefs called aluk, which means "the way." The Indonesian government officially calls this ancient belief Aluk To Dolo, meaning "Way of the Ancestors."
Contents
Toraja Culture and Traditions
The Toraja people are famous for their unique culture. They have special houses and interesting funeral ceremonies. Their traditions are very important to them.
Traditional Houses: Tongkonan
The traditional houses of the Toraja people are called tongkonan. These houses have very big, boat-shaped roofs. They are built on stilts, which means they are raised off the ground. The outside of a tongkonan is often decorated with colorful carvings. These carvings tell stories about the Toraja people and their history. A tongkonan is not just a house; it is also a family's center. It is where important meetings and ceremonies happen.
Funerals and Ancestor Worship
Funerals are very important events for the Toraja. They can be very big and last for several days. These ceremonies are a way to honor the people who have passed away. During these funerals, there are often many buffaloes and pigs sacrificed. This is part of their belief system. The Toraja believe that the spirits of their ancestors are still connected to them. They also have special burial sites carved into rocky cliffs. Sometimes, they place wooden statues called tau tau at these sites. These statues look like the person who died.
Daily Life and Art
Many Toraja people work in the fields, growing rice and other crops. They also create beautiful art, like wood carvings and traditional textiles. Music and dance are also a big part of their culture. The Pa'gellu dance, for example, is a traditional dance performed during celebrations. Even today, the Toraja people keep their unique customs alive. They share their rich culture with visitors from all over the world.
Images for kids
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A Toraja warrior from South Sulawesi holding a spear and a traditional Kanta shield.
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Three Toradja elders in traditional warrior garment posing with Dutch Salvation Army officer, 1930.
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Administration building in Rantepao.
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Three Toraja elders in traditional dress attending wake ceremony. March 2014.
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Pa'gellu dance performance in Tana Toraja.
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Each monolith here remembers a person who has passed away. The buildings in the background were temporary for funeral celebrations.
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Men working in the fields in Tana Toraja.
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A Toraja village.
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A valuable albino buffalo near Rantepao.
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A stone-carved burial site. Tau tau (statues of the deceased) were put in the cave, looking out over the land.
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A Torajan tomb in a high rocky cliff is one of the tourist attractions in Tana Toraja.
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See also
In Spanish: Toraya para niños
