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Ritual - Toraja

Ritual - Toraja

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Zelda007

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Ritual - Toraja

Torajans are renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites carved into rocky cliffs, massive peaked-roof traditional houses known as tongkonan, and colourful wood carvings. Toraja funeral rites are important social events, usually attended by hundreds of people and lasting for several days. The ceremony is often held weeks, months, or years after the death so that the deceased's family can raise the significant funds needed to cover funeral expenses.

One component of the ritual is the slaughter of water buffalo. The more powerful the person who died, the more buffalo are slaughtered at the death feast. Some of the slaughtered animals are given by guests as "gifts", which are carefully noted because they will be considered debts of the deceased's family.

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documentary & journalism people religion faith indonesia documentary subjects ceremony situation sulawesi buffalo ritual sacred southeast asia sacrifice toraja funeral buffle rites

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Section Subjects: Documentary & Journalism
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Camera NIKON D3100
Lens AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
Aperture 4.5
Exposure time 1/1000
Focus length 70.0 mm
ISO 400

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