Among Indonesia’s indigenous tribes, the Toraja of South Sulawesi is pretty unique in how they approach the common human experience of death, Ma’nene Torajan tradition.
In this unique tradition, living relatives first exhume their ancestors or loved ones from the Patane, a type of mausoleum made of wood unique to the Torajans. Once the preserved bodies are cleaned, they are then dressed up in new clothes and reunited with their extended families and the whole village.
Originated From Toraja Land
Toraja land, Indonesia has natural and cultural charm. This land has various unique cultural rituals such as Rambu Solo and Rambu Tuka’. However, the most unique tradition that is famously known is called Ma’nene tradition. This traditional ritual replaces the clothes of ancestral bodies in the village of Pangala, North Toraja, South Sulawesi.
Ma’nene is a form of ritual that reflects the importance of family relationships. The Torajan people believe that the Ma’nene ritual can provide peace and prosperity for the bereaved family.
Ma’nene Torajan Tradition
The Ma’nene ritual is a continuation of the Rambu Solo’ ceremony. If Rambu Solo’ is synonymous with grief, Rambu Tuka describes a joy. For the Torajan people, the Ma’nene ritual is a symbol between Rambu Solo’ and Rambu Tuka. They claimed that they feel joy and sorrow during the Ma’nene ritual.
Together, each family lifted the bodies of their dead ancestors, just like as the people who are still alive. Before the ritual begin, the Torajan clean the corpse body in detail and neatly.
Without any slight of fear from cleaning the dead body, each family rejoices while doing the Ma’nene tradition. You’ll see their togetherness during the Ma’nene ritual.
The first step, family members will go to Patane, which is the grave house of the Torajan people. Together they removed the body from the grave. Various bodies that are tens to hundreds of years old are there. Then, they clean the body and change the clothes with a new one. Complete with glasses, hair tie and even a belt. However, the new clothes are the same as the ones they wore when they were still alive.
After the cleaning part, they will put the dead body in line and all the villagers will erect the dead body around the village as if they’re still alive.
The Torajan people do it as a form of respect for their ancestors. In their perspective, Ma’nene is a moment of joy and sorrow for family members.
In addition to remember and pay respects, family members even took pictures with the bodies of their ancestors. When you visit this land, you can also ask permission to the family members to take pictures with the bodies together with their families. It is a thrilling and unique experience that you should not miss.
Afterwards, the villagers will put back the clean and neat body into the coffin. The differences in burial burrows are a marker of social status in Toraja. The stone grave on the hill indicates that the person was a nobleman. Meanwhile, the community resides in the Patane cemetery housing complex.
Corpse Preservation
The Ma’nene ritual then continued with “Sisemba”, a ritual of eating with family members. They celebrate the final steps of the tradition by eating together. Each clan will provide special food from their family.
Despite tens to hundreds of years, the corpse remains good. In fact, the Toraja people have a special herb to preserve corpses. After the body dries it will be stored in a coffin. The coffin is then put into Patane and a rocky hill burrow.
History
Ma’nene rituals have been performed for hundreds of years.
It started when an animal hunter, Pong Rumasek found a body in the middle of the road. He then took care of the remains of the bones. He put on the clothes he was wearing.
The local believe that it helps him during the hunt which result in a good harvest season. That’s when the Ma`nene ritual happen once every 3 years.
Bottom Line
Its beautiful nature and thick culture attract local and foreign tourists. Toraja’s cultural wealth will always be maintained even though it is in the midst of the times. A unique and phenomenal ritual that you should see in person.
