FUNERAL CEREMONY "Rambu Solo" in TORAJA

RAMBU SOLO

Toraja people was have unique traditional ceremony that it’s interesting to be seen, it’s called “RAMBU SOLO”. Rambu Solo is customary ritual death in Toraja society that aim to respect the spirit and the people who deliver death to the spirit, which is returned to the immortality with their ancestors in a place of peace, called puyo, which is located in the south where people live. The ceremony is often also called the completion ceremony of death.

Therefore, local people consider this very important ceremony, because perfection ceremony will determine the position of this spirit is the person who died, the soul reaches the level of the gods (to-membali puang), or become a paton deity (deata). In this context, the ritual sign SOLO into a “duty”. In the belief of ALUK, soul or someone who died must be delivered so that he can reach heaven (puyo). Rambu Solo is a delivery. If family did not carry Rambu Solo, soul of the deceased will be rumble. So with all the power effort, a certain kinship will conduct this ceremony. 

In addition, there are also various interesting activities are held during the ceremony of RAMBU SOLO are :

• Ma’pasilaga tedong (buffalo fighting). Competed buffalo in Toraja has unique characteristics horns curved down or crusted striped called Tedong Bonga. This type of water buffalo (babalus bubalis – mud buffalo) is endemic species in Toraja

• Sisemba. People compete their foot or leg each other

• Dances ritual of Rambu Solo’. Namely: M’badong, Ma’dondi, Ma’randing, Ma’katia’, Ma’papangngan and Massailo. On Ma’badong, guest were standing around while holding onto hands. Then they sing and dance together. Strain of their song describes the sadness.

• Instrumental music called Pa’pompang, Pa’dalidali and Unnosong

• Ma’tinggoro Tedong (slaughter the buffalo). How to slaughter the buffalo on this ceremony is unique, cut the neck with a single swing of chopper. Buffalo is firt tethered on a stone called Sibuang Batu. Buffalo butcher (patinggoro tedong) swing the chopper in a moment