The land of the Toraja ethnic group is up in the mountains in central Sulawesi. They are famous for their beautiful homes and carvings and their death rituals. We stayed at the traditional home of Dadang's family. Dadang is a staff member of Gaya Celebes.
Right in front of the house are some limestone megaliths placed there hundreds of years ago.
The view of the karst (limestone) mountains and rice paddies in every direction are breathtaking.
We had a great time meeting Dadang's family. Mom was especially taken by little Rio, one of Dadang's nephews.
The two full days we were there, we rented two vans and took everyone around on visits to interesting sites. For hundreds of years the Torajan people have buried their dead in limestone caves, some at ground level and some hundreds of feet in the air. They are buried in elaborate wooden coffins. As they rot over the centuries the bones fall out and mix together. In front of the caves they build effigies called tau-tau, about 3 feet high, in the image of the deceased, looking out over the rice fields.
Babies who die were often wrapped up in fabric and placed inside holes carved in giant forest trees, the hole covered with fiber until it closed of its own accord. These tree and cave burials still continue.
So much more to say about the trip but I'm quite busy with the preparations for returning to the USA, so I'll let Mom add an entry of her own.
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