Tana Toraja (Rantepao)

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"Tana Toraja" is located in central and can be considered the most popular tourist attraction of Sulawesi because of its traditional population, architecture and culture (dance, language, food and drink). Most Torajanes have been converted to Christianity in colonial times, but you can say it’s a mix of ancien religious customs and Christianity. Toraja country is known for its extensive, expensive funeral rites and ancestor worship.

The deceased are often 'kept' ('embalmed') for a while in or near the family's home before being placed in special caves located in steep cliffs. The houses of the population in Toraja country have a special shape too. The roofs adorned with geometric patterns are curved and resemble somewhat the other way around. This unique region of Indonesia is surrounded by beautiful nature with lots of jungle, forests, mountains and rivers.

Rantepao is the largest city of Tana Toraja and the commercial heart of the region. Here you will find most accommodation options, restaurants and other tourist facilities such as bus stops, internet connections and tourist information agencies.

Other interesting villages are: 

• Sangalla: here is an old palace made of bamboo and babies are buried here in burrows of tree trunks;
• Bolu: a local market with water buffalos where you can also buy a kriss (traditional swords).  

Tana Toraja is also known for its traditional weddings which often put a lot of money and time into it. Difficulty is to find out where these are held; these are often abused by tourists where they have to pay a lot of money to attend and to check if this is real or only for tourist dollars.

Many water buffalo (karbouwen) and pigs are slaughtered at these festivities in honor of the bride and groom. Sometimes even with dozens at a time.

Rantepao does not have a bus station; the buses stop at the corner of the main street Jalan Andi Mapanyuki and "Jalan Niaga" where some bus companies are together. Large busses and minibuses go fairly frequently from and to here.

Rantepao - Ujung Pandang (Makassar): there is a night bus that departs every day at 21:00 and arrives at 06:00 in Makassar (terminal Gowa).

You can order typical local Toraja dishes at various eateries in the region. One of them is Piong Babi - Piong Daging Kerbau which is buffalo meat with vegetables and spices that are put in a bamboo pipe.

This must be ordered at least 3 hours in advance. You get it served with red rice (merah) and palm wine.

• Name: Wisla Imanuel (Rantepao)

Address: Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No.16

Phone nr. : +62 423 21416

Content:

This hostel is situated a bit outside the center but near the main road Jalan Andi Mapanyuki, beautifully situated along the river. Unfortunately, you can not get to the river from here. Rooms are quite large and the more expensive rooms have hot showers.

All rooms have large balconies with OR the view on the road in front or on the garden behind. A perfect homely and cozy hostel with friendly people.

MOTORBIKE hire:

Because there is a lot to do around Rantepao it is wise to rent a motorcycle for a day or more. It is relatively cheap and the best means of transport given the rocks, slopes, mud, amount of sights and the distances. It is offered almost everywhere; often they have a helmet for you to borrow. 

• TIME: 08:00 - 16:00
• PRICE: 50,000 R (all-in).
• MOTOR: 100CC

TIP:

In July and August it is high season and crowds of tourists come to this popular region in Sulawesi. This is also the time when most funerals are performed; prices go up like crazy and the roads are full of tour buses with tourists. It is best to avoid this time if you want more quiteness and a cheaper trip.