INDONESIA ~Toraja Tomb of Sulawesi-UNESCO Tentative List~

... Great postcard showing rare ancient rites and unique culture... a fascinating place... Thanks a lot Hime for this lovely surprise in my mailbox^^!!

The Toraja are an ethnic group indigenous to a mountainous region of South Sulawesi (one of the largest islands in Indonesia). People in Toraja believe in life after death. It is well known as the Land of Heavenly Kings. They have a unique funeral ceremony for helping the Spirit goes to heaven easily. After the ceremony, the dead body is put inside the rocky mountain. They believe that’ll make them closer to heaven.

At Lemo village, probably the most impressive burial area these graves are built into the cliff, and wooden statues of the dead are displayed in balconies alongside. This cliff grave site has a large number of Tau Tau statues; Tau Tau is a wooden carving made to represent the dead. The two structures on the right are used to carry coffins.


Stamp:
Greetings Stamps - Flowers
(Issued 21-04-2001)