In the remote South Sulawesi region of Indonesia lives a small group called the Toraja. This tiny community appears to have the most elaborate funeral ceremonies on the planet. From the intricate embalming process that preserves bodies for weeks (sometimes even years) to the tree burials of deceased newborns, it seems the Toraja don’t fear death, but instead revere it as a necessary and beautiful part of life.
When a member of the Toraja people dies, their bodies aren’t buried into the ground. They are instead put into elaborate cave tombs dug into the mountain. Before this can happen, there is the Rambu Soloq, a series of funeral ceremonies that lasts for several days.
The ceremonies don’t take place immediately after death. First, the body undergoes an intricate embalming process that keeps it preserved until the family raises sufficient funds for a funeral party.
The ceremony begins with a mass slaughtering of animals. Tens of buffalo and hundreds of pigs are killed, all while young boys catch blood into bamboo sticks as a game.
The cave tombs are then dug into the mountainside. This process can take months to finally finish.
If the rock is too dense, wooden platforms like these are suspended from the cliffs.
Then a “Tau Tau,” a wooden effigy of the deceased, is placed on a cave wall along with those of their ancestors.
The Toraja villages are brimmed with these dolls.
Infants are not buried in caves, but are instead buried inside the hallows of trees.
As the tree heals over its hole, it is believed that the baby is absorbed into it, giving it strength.
(via Amusing Planet)
Every year or so, the mummified bodies of the deceased are brought out of the caves so that the Torajan people can celebrate “Ma’Nene,” an ancient celebration of the dead. The bodies are dressed up and paraded around the village for one last goodbye. Though this is incredibly morbid, it’s a unique and fascinating way to celebrate someone’s life in the community.
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