Toraja village named a world heritage site

Toraja village named a world heritage site

By Hasanuddin Hamid

TANATORAJA, South Sulawesi (JP): Residents of the village of
Toraja Ke'te Kesu in Sanggalangi district have never been
happier. The traditional village has been nominated as a World
Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Between April 24 and April 26, a team of UNESCO
representatives, along with South Sulawesi provincial government
officials, completed an appraisal of the village.

The results will be made public in the very near future, said
Gunadi, chief of the South and Southeast Sulawesi office of
archaeology.

The traditional village, four kilometers from Rantepao, or 20
kilometers from the regency capital of Makale, belongs to the
aristocratic Ke'te Kesu family.

Ke'te Kesu is seen as a representation of Tana Toraja's unique
cultural heritage.

The "World Heritage" status is awarded to a particular area of
invaluable unique cultural and historical value.

Gunadi was optimistic that Ke'te Kesu would be declared a
World Heritage site because it meets four of the eight criteria
set by UNESCO.

The criteria are that the site is unique in terms of artistic
design; is a monumental example of traditional architecture; can
preserve its historical and cultural heritage; and has the
customary laws to preserve its heritage.

Tana Toraja boasts a traditional system in which each village
is provided with a rice barn, unique stone tomb and traditional
home industry.

Ke'te Kesu is a representation of Toraja traditional
architecture. The peculiar features include Tongkonan houses and
a field where burial ceremonies are held. The village is
surrounded by paddy fields, coffee and cocoa plantations.

Inhabitants of Ke'te Kesu are buried in the kampong's cemetery
where traditional tombs of various designs can be found. Corpses
are buried on steep hills where graves are installed 25 meters
above ground-level.

The grave-making requires special skills and it can take
several months to complete a single one. The meticulously
engraved coffin is placed into the grave. Many have been put in
the caves and concrete rooms have been built in the hills as
family mausoleums.

Coffins aged several hundred years can be found there.

Visitors to the village can also see antiques inherited by the
Ke'te Kesu family.