Brilio.net/en - Toraja, a mountainous region located in South Sulawesi, is known for its unique funeral rituals. The people of Toraja are known as the Tarajans. Recently, a ritual took place that is known traditionally as the Manene ceremony, in which ancestral corpses were brought back to life after they were witnessed walking. This creepy tradition is part of the Tradition Wake Corpse, one that went viral on Facebook. Imagine coming face to face again with someone you thought didnt exist anymore! Well, for the time being at least.
Image via sulsel.pojoksatu.id
The Manene ritual is performed to respect the ancestors of the Toraja community. In fact, the ancestral corpses are still intact as they have been taken care of with preservatives. Wow, wed all be immortal if we were Tarajan! The Manene ritual starts off with a prayer that is followed by the cleansing of the corpses. After their bodies are cleaned up using brushes, their old clothes are replaced with new ones. Believe it or not, male corpses are modernly dressed in a suit and tie.
Interestingly, the wealth that the Tarajans earn in their living life is saved for funeral ceremonies. They are deemed highly important, so much so that families of deceased members are given time to raise funds to pay off the expenses required to fulfill the funeral ceremony! Otherwise, the body will not be buried.
Image via sulsel.pojoksatu.id
It is common to witness the younger generations postponing or cancelling their marriages so as to save up for the funeral of a loved one. Funerals have been the main celebration amongst the Tarajans, because such an occasion is believed to be a reinforcement between the living and the dead. When someone dies, the whole village comes together to see off their fellow compatriot, and the ceremonies could last for days, weeks, months or even years.
(brl/red)
