7 Exotic Tourist Destinations in Tana Toraja

7 exotic tourist destinations Tana Toraja are located in Tana Toraja Regency (Torajaland, Land of the Toraja or Tator). It is a regency of South Sulawesi, home of Toraja ethnic group people. Since 1984, Tana Toraja has been awarded as the second tourist destination after Bali in Indonesia. Since then, thousands of foreign visitors have visited this land. Moreover, a lot of Western anthropologists have visited Tana Toraja to investigate the native ethnic culture of Toraja people.

Tana Toraja is well noted for its cultural wealth and their traditional house building usually called Tongkonan.

Additionally, Tana Toraja has a special and exceptional funeral ceremony called Rambu solo. Related to Rambu solo ceremony, Toraja ethnic communities have special ways of treatment of a funeral. Only in this area of Indonesia, the bodies are not buried in the soil, instead they are placed in Tongkonan for a period of time relatively more than ten years until the family have enough money to hold the appropriate ceremonies for the dead. After the proper ceremony has been completed, the bodies are taken to their final resting place inside the caves or wall mount. Most of them are caves and rock walls that become the place for the corpse as a final resting place.

Here are the 7 exotic tourist destinations in Tana Toraja:

1. Pallawa

Located at 12 Km to the north of Rantepao, Pallawa is a traditional house of Tana Toraja which is built with bamboo structures then the arch-shaped roof is built like boats. This traditional house has 2 functions as a kitchen and bedroom. Then, at the front part of the house is a buffalo arranged neatly. The charm of Pallawa lies on the art and culture stored in Tana Toraja tribal house. So, don’t be surprised if tourists make Pallawa as one of their destinations in North Sulawesi.

2. Londa

Then, the second exotic tourist destination in Tana Toraja is Londa. It is a typical funeral of Tana Toraja residents where the tombs are placed in the cliff walls of the cave. The tomb is neatly arranged according to lineage. On the other side of the hill are left open, overlooking the green expanse of scenery. Londa is located in the village of Sendan Uai, Sanggalai district, about 5 Km to the south of Rantepao, Tana Toraja.

3. Ke'te Kesu

Ke’te Kesu means the center of peoples activities namely the presence of the township, the place of carving crafts, and cemeteries. The activity center is a row of traditional houses called Tongkonan, which is the object of this charming village. In addition, there are rice granary and megaliths buildings in the surrounding area. About 100 yards behind this village is a cliff burial site. This village is also famous for carving skills possessed by its inhabitants. Located about 4 km from southeast Rantepao, it is a great place to shop for unique souvenirs.

4. Batutumonga

In this area, you can find about 56 stones in a loop with 4 trees in the middle. Most of the stones are about 2-3 meters tall. From this place, you can see the beauty of Rantepao and its surrounding valleys. Located in the area Sesean, with an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level, you can see fog and a set of white clouds wrapping the of sky Tana Toraja in Batutumonga. You’ll feel as if you are standing in the land of clouds. You would also feel the remoteness and peace of Batutumonga through its natural beauty and tranquility. If you want to escape from the stressful city life, you can go to this place to rejuvenate your soul.

5. Lemo

Lemo is a tomb made on the rocks hill. This hill was named Lemo because of its shape resembling a citrus fruit (lime). On the hill, there are about 75 graves and in each hole is a family tomb, with a size of 3 x 5 M. It can take 6 months to 1 year to make one hole at a cost of approximately Rp. 30 million. This place is often regarded as the home of the spirits. In this cemetery, you can see the bodies stored in the open air, amidst the steep rocks. The cemetery is the mixture of death, art, and ritual. The corpses clothing will be replaced with the ritual on special occasions. Lemo grave stone is located in the north Makale, Tana Toraja.

6. Rafting on the River Sa’dan

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Rafting_Sa'dan River (6)

Rafting_Sa'dan River (5)

Sa’dan river is about 182 km long and about 80 meters wide. It has approximately 294 tributaries. Along the river are some rapids with different ranges of difficulty. Furthermore, the topography of the area is also very appealing with natural beauty and cool air all along the way.

7. Rambu Solo Funeral Ceremony

Rambu solo is Tana Toraja’s traditional funeral ceremony intending to honor and deliver the spirits of the dead people into the realm of the spirit, which then returned to the immortality with their ancestors in the resting place. The ceremony is often called as the completion ceremony of death because the dead person had been considered dead completely after all these ceremonial processions accomplished. The peak of the ceremony is held on a special field prepared with a lot of cultural attractions on display, including buffalo race before the slaughter for sacrifice. There are also performances of Toraja music and dances. This traditional ceremony is usually held in Kampung Bonoran, Ke’te Kesu Village.

With all those 7 exotic tourist destinations in Tana Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia, you’d better plan to visit this place as soon as you can. Go back to nature and admire the beauty of mother nature in its most original condition. You will feel that youve been reborn after your adventure here.

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