THE LAND
Tana toraja or Toraja Land is located in the northern
highlands of the province of south
sulawesi, the south western peninsula of indonesia’s
fourth largest islands, Sulawesi formerly called Celebes.
A beautiful land of high mountains, lush gren valleys
and rivers, the rugged terrain has kept the people in
isolation till the beginning of this century, thereby
preserving their uniqe traditional culture and way of
life.
Outside ifluences and conversion to Christianity have
brought a slow change in Tana Toraja where the
people cling to their cultural heritage and their
ancestral religion of Aluk Todolo.
Colourful ceremonies are part of traditional life, the
best known of which are the feasts for the dead.
Traditional Tongkonan houses of the Torajans are part
of the picturesque scene, with their roofs rising on
both ends like the prows of ships, which according to
these highlands.
A friennly, hospitable people, the Torajans welcome
visitors to their ceremonies.
Of special interest in Tana Toraja are the cliff or
hanging graves, hollowed-out caves in mountains
sides where the dead are interred even to this day,
with effigies standing at the entrances on suspended
balconies.
Rantepao, the centre of the Toraja tourist trade has
been developed to cater to foreign visitors with
accommodation available in small, comfortable hotels.
The Torajans practice traditional crafts and weaving
and perfom folk dances for tourists.
The national language, Bahasa Indonesia, is spoken by
almost everyone and English by those connected with
the tourist trade.
Tana Toraja spread over a total area of 3,630 squre
kilometers and its district capital of Makale l;ies 310
kms from the provincial captal of Ujung Pandang, an
eigth-hour drive along coastal and mountain roads.
A mountainous area, the lowest elevation is 300
metres abavo sea level and the higthest peak reaches
2,884 metres. The two major towns, Makale and
Rantepao, are located at elevations of 775 metres.
Tropical in vegetation and climate, the temperature
varies from between 26C AND 14C and humidity is an
average 80%. The rainy season is from December to
March and the dry season, the best for tourists, is
between June and September. There are occasional
rains during the tanstional periods, between the two
season.
Tana Toraja is reached from Ujung Pandang by well-
paved roads via Pare Pare, a coastal town and the
inland river town of Enrekang. From here the road
winds around steep mountain slopes, covered with
bamboo forests. Across the Sa,dan river is the entance
to Tana Toraja, marked by a boat-shaped arch.
Rice is cultivated in he valleys and plateaux and coffe
and clove trees cover the mountain slopes, clos to the
small villagres which dot the countryside.
The district capital of Makale is the administrative
centre, with Rantepao, the centre of tourism, 18 kms
further north.
While the main roads are well paved, the lime stone in
the mountains and constant rains destroy parts of the
side roads from time to time. To reach some of the
places of interest, jeeps are a more advisable means
of transport or walking through the beautiful
countryside, to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the
villages, paddy fields, groves of coffe and clove trees,
and vegetable gardens.
The villages are a combination of small wooden and
brick houses and the tall tongkonan traditional houses
of two stroreys, each with a similarly shaped rice
granary standing opposite it.
The kabupaten (districts) of Tana Toraja is divided into
9 kecamatanbupati appointed by central government
and assisted by a council of local representatives.
(sub-districts) and 65 villages with the districts herd or