GEOGRAPHY & MAP

Welcome to Sulawesi Island - Celebes island
The Bugis-Makasarese communities are known for their rigid social codes already regulated in their customs within the concept of pangadereng (beliefs) - which underline their social dynamic. Inherited customary rules were inscribed on Lontar leafs, called Latoa, which emphases the essence that God is the pivotal point of human life and this philosophy begets honesty, justice and wisdom as the primary virtues.

The Toraja land is situated amidst mountainous surrounding, the natural scenery is admirable, although the biggest appeal of Toraja is its traditional ceremonies.

While Islam is deeply rooted among Bugis-Makasar people, the Christian religions have replaced animism among the dwellers of Toraja highland. However old beliefs called Aluk Todolo still remain. Aluk Todolo in the Toraja language means ritual for the ancestor whom considered in contact with their descendants lives. The construction of their traditional houses is characterized by ritual. The shape of the roof, which is like the paws of a sail boat seems to retain the memory of big boats that carried their ancestor-presumably from Indochina arround 2,500 years B.C.A. 

Buffalo is not just an animal to help their ploughs in the rice field, but also assumes a symbolical existence. It is the form of life to sacrifice in honoring their genealogical roots, specially if the buffalo of big size with long horn. The most exclusive one is that with skin (albino), the Torajan believe in the continuance of life after death. This gives them the reason to work and accumulate wealth so as to avoid difficulties in the hereafter. The buffalo and pigs are sacrificed to accompanied them later.