The traditions of funeral after death are different in every culture in the world, but there are some customs which surprise at first sight. There is also an area in Indonesia where children are buried not in the ground but inside a tree. It may sound scary, but for the local people it symbolizes the connection between nature and spirit.

Indonesia and its unique cultural traditions

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, but hundreds of tribes and cultures live here. The Toraja tribe of South Sulawesi province is known for its unique funeral traditions. These traditions are based more on local beliefs and beliefs related to nature than on religion, hence social context is necessary to understand them.

Tradition of burying children in a tree

In Toraja community, if a child dies before teething, he is not buried in the ground. The villagers make a hole in the trunk of a big tree and wrap the child’s body in a cloth and keep it in that hole. After this the place is closed with fiber made from palm tree. With time the tree grows and the hole fills itself.

What is the belief behind this?

Local people believe that the souls of such children are very pure. By burying in a tree, the wind and nature carry away that soul. According to their belief, through this process the child’s soul goes directly into the lap of nature. Therefore it is not considered death, but a return to a new form of life.

Is this tradition scary

This tradition may seem frightening to outsiders, because the pits made in the trees and the atmosphere there appear mysterious, but the local community follows it with respect and reverence. For them this is not grief, but the path to peace of the soul. This is the reason why they consider this tradition not terrible but sacred.

Different customs for adults

In the Toraja community, the funeral process is different for adults and youth. If an adult dies, the bodies of the ancestors are taken out of the grave first. They are dressed in new clothes and taken around the village. Only after this the newly deceased person is buried. This ritual is considered a symbol of maintaining the relationship between the dead and the living.

Tradition and tourism in modern times

Nowadays, this tradition has become a subject of curiosity for people all over the world. A large number of tourists come to Toraja region to witness these customs. However, the local administration and community take care that these traditions are performed with respect and not as a sensation.

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Indonesia Culture: Death In most cultures around the world there is a big difference between life and death. Funerals are meant to say goodbye, but this is not the case for the Toraja tribe of Indonesia. For them, this is not the end but just another stage in this long journey of life. This unique tribe of South Sulawesi keeps the bodies of their dead relatives at home and treats them as if they were still alive. They are fed, clothed and even talked to on a daily basis. Let us know more information about this unique tribe.

Unique tradition of Indonesia

Among Toraja people, there is no immediate burial or cremation after death. Here the deceased is not said to be dead but sick or resting. The family keeps the body in a coffin in their home and takes care of it. He is given food, cigarettes and water every day. They also clean the room, change the clothes of the deceased and even talk to them as if they were alive. This is done until the family is able to afford a grand funeral. This is a ritual which takes months or even years to prepare.

Why do dead bodies stay at home?

In Toraja Sanskrit, funeral is not just a religious ritual but is celebrated as a community event which is a symbol of respect and social prestige. This ritual can last for several days and animals, especially buffaloes, are sacrificed. To prevent the dead body from rotting, it is coated with formalin.

purification of the dead

People of this community do not leave the dead bodies even after burial. Once every year, they come out to worship the dead bodies of their loved ones, in the form of salt, which means a ceremony of purification of the dead. During this ceremony the dead bodies are taken out from their resting place and cleaned, combed and dressed in new clothes. The family then introduces the deceased to the new generation and takes them on a symbolic walk through the village. It is strictly prohibited to take turns or circumambulate during this procession and everyone is taken in a straight line.

bury baby in tree

There is a separate tradition here for babies and small children. Instead of burying or burning them, they are placed inside the hollow trunks of living trees. There is a belief that the soul of the children will continue to grow with the tree and merge with nature. However, due to government rules, this practice has stopped to a great extent.

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