According to myth and legend, the single ancestor of the Toraja people originated from heaven. This myth passed into legend as it was told from generation to generation. Today the people of Toraja continue telling the myth that the first ancestor of the Toraja used “stairway to go down from heaven”, the functioned of this stairway was as a media to communicate with Puang Matua (The Only One God).
The name of Toraja was given by the Bugis Sidendereng tribe and the people of Luwu. The Sidendereng people named the population of this region “Riaja” ("The first people inhabiting the upper part of country or mountainous area"). In the meantime, the people of Luwu called these people “Riajang” ("People inhabiting in the west"). Another version is the word ‘Toraya’ coined from To (Tau = people), and Raya (coined from the word Maraya = great). The two words together mean “great people”, or noble man. Eventually, the term morphed into Toraja. The word “Tana” means country. The Toraja inhabitants were eventually known as Tana Toraja.
Tanah Toraja is a fascinating tourist destination known for its many cultures. This regency, situated about 350 km to the north of Makassar, is known for its traditional house style. The traditional house is called “Tongkonan”. The roof is made of palm or coconut leaves and has a life expectancy of about 50 years before needing replacement. This Tongkonan also has a stratum in line with its community nobility hierarchy categorized as gold, bronze, iron and brass. Another attraction in Tanah Toraja is rambu solo, the traditional burial ceremony which is note worthy primarily because of the children’s graves being within living trees. The children are buried in Tarra tree trunks at Kambira Kampong, Sangalla village, about 20 kilometers from Rantepao. These graves were prepared for children of 0-7 years. This children’s burial right has not been performed in tens of years. However, the trees in which the children are buried are still growing and visited by many tourists. The fruit of the Tarra tree is similar to breadfruit and consumed by the locals, primarily in a vegetable soup.
Entry
There are many flights and daily service from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya and Manado. Through an asphalt road with some winding slopes, feel the fresh & cool air with its natural scene, a nice way to travel by car.
People & Culture
Makassarese and Bugis are religious people, most are Muslims and very strong minded. Bugis people are among the best sailors in the world. Seafarers of Bugis, Bajau, Butonese and Makassarese have traded with neighboring countries, most notably with the Australian Aborigines, for hundreds of years.
Cuisine
This place is a haven for culinary lovers. From fresh sea food, cooked Chinese or Indonesian style to the famed coto makassar--soup made from innards of cow, there is something new to try everyday. Sop saudara is quite similar to coto but it's more bland compared to coto. Konro or beef ribs soup is tasty and filling. For snacks you might want to try jalangkote, some kind of pastry with tasty filling, eaten with a spicy sauce.
For dessert, try pisang epe--flattened banana with palm sugar sauce, usually mixed with jackfruit or durian. Es pallu butung, made of sliced banana, ice chips, coconut milk and red sauce is also filling and refreshing. Pisang hijau is banana coated with flour and pandan leaves, thus causing the outer layer to be green-colored. It's sliced and then coated with cocopandan syrup.
Tourism Office
JL. Jend. Sudirman No.23, Makassar 90231
Phone. (62-411) 878912, 443355, 872336
Fax. (62-411) 872314
Email : disbudpar-sulsel@telkom.net
Website : http://www.phinisiq.com
