Toradja

The Toradja, also spelled Toraja or Toradja, are an indigenous ethnic group of Indonesia living mainly in the highlands of South Sulawesi. Their traditional homeland centers on the Tanah Toraja region, with core populations in Tana Toraja and parts of North Toraja Regency. They speak the Toraja language, a branch of the Austronesian family, with Indonesian widely used in education and administration. The Toraja consist of several subgroups and dialects.

Cultural life centers on cattle, agriculture, and distinctive architecture. The iconic Tongkonan houses feature boat-shaped, curved roofs and elaborate carved decorations. Wealth is traditionally measured in cattle and pigs, and social networks are expressed through elaborate exchange rituals and funerary ceremonies. Terraced rice fields and coffee cultivation are common economic activities, alongside crafts and growing tourism. Kinship ties, ceremonial exchanges, and ritual performances are important elements of everyday life.

Religion historically followed Aluk To Dolo, the traditional ancestral worship. Since contact with Christian missionaries and Islam, many Toraja identify as Protestant or Catholic, while others practice Islam or retain traditional beliefs alongside newer faiths. The best-known rite is the funeral ceremony, which can last days or weeks and involves buffalo and pig sacrifices, music, and processions. During these rites, tau-tau wooden effigies may be erected to represent the deceased.

Historical contact with outsiders intensified in the 19th and 20th centuries, bringing new religious influences and economic change. Today, Toraja culture remains a major draw for tourism and academic study, and efforts to preserve language and heritage continue alongside modernization in the region.