Exhibition on Torajan art opens to the public<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A fierce cry from men dressed in orange payu
\npa'tanun toraya, a Torajan costume, welcomed visitors to the
\nopening of an exhibit on Toraja art last night.<\/p>\n
It wasn't a call to war, but the local heartfelt greeting
\ndelivered to new acquaintances.<\/p>\n
Around 100 guests watched the welcoming dance called the
\npagelu, and some followed the custom of slipping money notes into
\nthe dancers' headbands.<\/p>\n
The cultural exhibition, entitled \"Tammuan Toraya,\" is held at
\nBentara Budaya and runs to May 5.<\/p>\n
The event on Jl. Palmerah Selatan, Central Jakarta, is
\norganized in conjunction with The Jakarta Post's 13th
\nanniversary.<\/p>\n
A surprise gift was presented by Jonathan L. Parapak, a leader
\nof the Association of Toraja People in Jakarta. He delivered a
\nspecial \"happy birthday\" singsong shortly before opening the
\nexhibit.<\/p>\n
\"It's in English with a Toraja rhythm,\" said Parapak, also the
\nSecretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Post and
\nTelecommunications.<\/p>\n
Parapak, dressed in black and bright red traditional clothing,
\nis also a counselor to the Ke'te' Kesu' foundation which
\nspecializes in preserving Toraja culture.<\/p>\n
The Post's General Manager, Raymond Toruan, said the event is
\na way of expressing gratitude to the Indonesian public, by trying
\nto help preserve the culture of one of the country's ethnicity
\ngroups.<\/p>\n
Many of these groups are without a written culture, which
\ncould easily fade away, he said.<\/p>\n
The exhibit follows earlier ones on the Sentani, Sumba, Timor
\nand Dayak arts and culture.<\/p>\n
Parapak said although rich in culture, as a tourist attraction
\nToraja still needs to develop accessibility to the areas.<\/p>\n
Torajans live in five regencies across South and Central
\nSulawesi, but many potential tourist spots are only accessible by
\nhours of trekking.<\/p>\n
The items exhibited were gathered and selected in cooperation
\nwith the Ke'te' Kesu' foundation, which has a museum in a village
\nby the same name.<\/p>\n
Baskets, sacred cloths, jewelry, carvings and pottery are
\namong the exhibits. Household items are also on public view.<\/p>\n
Various carvings reflect details of Toraja symbolism which are
\nwidely used in the local architecture.<\/p>\n
The proceeds of the exhibition will go to the Foundation.<\/p>\n
Apart from a brochure, guests to the display can gain first
\nhand information from the artisans. These include Tinting
\nSarungallo, who has been invited to Japan to construct Torajan
\nhouses for museums in Maesawa and Osaka. (anr)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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