The Exotic Tana Toraja

TORAJA 

comes from the word to riaja, means the people of the highlands. Torajanese call themselves the descendants of the heavenly kings. Tana Toraja is identically with the natural and the cultural heritage. There are interesting megalithic culture.



Authorized name is Tana Toraja. Distance about 350 km north of Makassar. Located in the high northern part of South Sulawesi, precisely in the range of Kambuno and Latimojong mountain. Therefore, Tana Toraja has a spectacular scenery, mountainous, green, cool and packed. 

Toraja is one of the icons of Indonesian tourism. In 2008, the Government of Indonesia set the land up as one of 10 pre-eminent destinations. Provincial Government of South Sulawesi made Toraja as a prime mover of tourism with the Toraja Lovely December program. UNESCO includes it in the list of world cultural heritage. 

Cultural Tourism 

Native culture is unique. Influenced by the native beliefs of their first epoch, namely Aluk To Dolo'. It is an animist beliefs. However, because of Indonesian government does not recognize as animism beliefs, Toraja people now embrace Protestant 65.15 percent, Catholic 16.97 percent, and the rest of Islam and other religions. 

Nevertheless, there are people who still maintain Toraja part of the ritual or ceremonial of Aluk To Dolo. The beliefs and “new” religions they embraced became acculturated. Especially with the Protestant and Catholic. Traditional rituals almost held all year round. 

In sadness or excitement, Torajanese always held traditional ceremony. There are two big ceremonies which attracted worldwide attention. The ceremonies are Rambu Solo (ritual of death) and Rambu Tuka (the excitement ceremony). Torajanese open their hands and invite domestic and foreign tourists to watch the ritual. 

Tourism Site 

Kinship (customs union) and Tongkonan (traditional house) is the most important element in the social system of Toraja society. On behalf of kinship, Toraja people build relationships with other groups. Each kinship symbolized by Tongkonan. 

Toraja people will always be known from Tongkonan where they originates. Thus, it represents their kinship. Totally, there are 32 kinship in all around of Toraja. Each kinship has their own social classes. Relationship between each kinship determinated by their social classes.

Toraja communities living in the fertile heritage of megalithic tradition. Megalithic culture in Asia is estimated live between 1500-1200 BC. Toraja community still maintain the megalithic culture until now. Menhir or megalit, and rocky grave on the hill, and Tongkonan is evidence of the culture. 

Nature Tourism 

Toraja is a mountainous area, hilly, and valley. For more 40 percent of the totally area is on an altitude between 150 to 3.000 meters above sea level. Therefore, Toraja has cool temperature between 15-28 degrees centigrade. 

The scenery is very beautiful. Panoramic mountain views, the trees are lush, and intricate stream rivers flow water from pure spring. Irrigated terracing on the sloping hills. Eye catching. In some exuberance tree, there will look traditional Tongkonan shape. 

Natural mountain, without any touch, was present as extraordinary beauty. There is not even a neck in the Toraja region that is not present the beauty. Therefore, the whole region is in fact is tourism objects. 

Culinary 

One of the things that make Toraja also interesting is coffee. The teste of Toraja coffee olso unique. Perhaps more hard from Sumatra and Bali’s coffee. There are two types of coffee planted population, robusta and arabica. Coffee favors that has spread to the entire world can be tested whenever you want. 

 Hotel 

Hotels in Toraja also offer exotic of the land. The hotel managers compete to bring something "completely" Toraja. Make rooms like Tongkonan and put the traditional ornaments in it. 

There are many hotels in Toraja, from budgeting hotels up to four-star hotels. Hotel is equipped with various facilities such as restaurants, bars, sports facilities, entertainment, and of course the presenting of Torajanese art. 

  Infrastructure 

There are two major cities in Toraja, namely Makale and Rantepao. Makale is capital of Tana Toraja regency, as it functions as the central government. While Rantepao is the center of business and trade (now, Rantepao is capital of North Toraja Regency). Both cities are in the trans-Sulawesi route connecting Makassar, Parepare City, and the City of Palopo. 

Tana Toraja have an airport named Pongtiku Airport, the name of a local hero. Located in the District Rantetayo. Has a runway with 900 meters length of asphalt. It's about 15 kilometers western of the trans-Sulawesi route connecting Makale and Rantepao. 

Toraja also have a good road infrastructure. Most of the asphalt road is Hotmix. Roads that connect the two main cities in there and connect the two cities with the cities district. But unfortunately, some of the city district that is located in the most high does not yet have a good road infrastructure. 

Access 

Toraja can be achieved in two ways, through the air and land. Through the air, there are flight with three times a week frequent. Plans aircraft is Dirgantara Air Service (DAS). Operate Cassa aircraft with 26 passengers. Makassar-Toraja adopted in 60 minutes. 

While the land trip by bus economy class (with no AC) or non-ekonomy (with AC). Travelers can depart from Regional Daya Terminal or pool-bus in the city of Makassar. There are also provided car from some travel agents. Trip from Makassar to Toraja applied within 6-7 hours. 

Travel day with the land routes to Toraja really fun. Mountain scenery and winding between the trees. Very captivating. Make a trip is not too tiring. 

Toraja is not enough to be told. Too many interesting things in there that can not be in words. Therefore come and enjoy Toraja: The Land of Heavenly Kings.(*)

Photos source
www.pbase.com/lovelos/sulawesi

Source:enjoy-makassar.blogspot.com