Where: Tana Toraja, Indonesia People: Torajans Religion: Aluk To Dolo (Way of the Ancestors) Ritual: Ma’nene
The Ma’nene ceremony, a ritual of exhuming and cleaning the remains of the ancestors, is usually held every second or third year – and only when the rice has been harvested. The families gather and walk to the family graves, where they retrieve the remains of their ancestors, clean them and dress them nicely up in new clothes and leave them out to dry in the sun for a short period of time. Before they are reburied, the family members have their pictures taken with them.
According to the Torajans the originates from an old myth about a man who stumbled upon a deceased person while trekking in the area. He cleaned the remains and buried them and was blessed with good fortune in return.
A great thank you to the ancestors and their families and to my guides, fixers, and translators, Yacob Kakke and Yansen Ada Mangopo for their huge effort.
Ruslin (30) is posing with her late daughter, Ditha, who died suddenly 4 years ago at the age of 1, according to Ruslin. Ruslin had not felt ready to see Ditha until now. She was sad and didn’t feel that she had the strength to do the Ma’nene with her earlier. After the ritual, Ruslin told me, that she was very happy to have done it.Yohannis (78) is posing with his late wife, Martha, who died in 2015 at the age of 72. The couple were married for app. 50 years, and had 13 children together.Tandi posing with his late father, Palau, who died one year ago. Tandi would love to do the Ma’nene ritual for Palau every year, if he can afford it.Mr. Kinda posing with his late wife Elisabeth who died a year ago.Jimmi (8) is posing with his unnamed brother who died in 2013, 3 days after birth.Abigail (37) is posing with her late mother, Lince, who died in 2015 at the age of 58. It was the first time the Ma’nene ritual was practised with Lince, and Abigail expressed mixed emotions upon seeing her again. It is customary not to cry during the ritual and Abigail had to step away briely to shed some tears.Tulak (55) is posing with her late father, Dongga, who died in 2006 at the age of 78. Tulak traveled from Malaysia to participate in the ritual. Despite feeling sad during the ritual, she also felt joy in being reunited with her family.
