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