Tana Toraja itself is a piece of territory on foot near the base of Sulawesi, which is surrounded by mountains and hills. Altitude territory about 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level. In relation to the contour and the region to be enclosed by nature, access to this place is pretty difficult. Regular access to a public place is with inter-city buses that depart from Makassar, Pare-Pare, or Palopo. The opposite of the natural contours of the mountainous and hilly, Tana Toraja has all the necessary things to make a good farm. The cool air and water availability makes the production of food crops abound here, including rice and various kinds of crops. The result is superior than the Tana Toraja Coffee and Marqisa. Marqisa Toraja and coffee even down to the overseas famous Loch. Could be, one of the coffee you drink at the local and international coffee outlets in shopping malls is this famous Toraja coffee.
In addition to crops, Tana Toraja, known for its customs and traditions precisely that catapulted his name. Toraja People have unique customs in connection with the death of a party or shower. At times like this, the celebration should be done with a massive slaughter including some cows / buffaloes. Tourism has become the main magnet in Toraja. Although had experienced moments of ups and downs, especially when exposed to excess bombing in Bali, Toraja tourism back moves to fix and continue to promote the wealth of some cultures in the eyes of the world. There are two common party held by the Toraja people Rambu Tuka (shower or wedding) and Rambu Solo' (death feast). The Toraja People habit is to organize everything with the lively and large. Therefore, not surprisingly, the funeral ceremony will be held on one, two years or longer, depending on the readiness of funds to the owner of the party. In addition to traditional party, Toraja is also famous for a unique form of customary house boat named Tongkonan and grave stone walls filled with mock statue of the man who died while they were alive. The statue is called Tau-Tau which is made from jackfruit tree wood and is built upon a rocky cliff overlooking the village and allegedly said to protect children and grandchildren and their descendants. This Tau-Tau is surreal with wooden blocks have hands and legs and the face painted plus the position of the hands are bent straight forward. Tau-Tau also have a very real, are large for the man himself, made exactly follow the curve of the body to the lateral face of the deceased. Clothing of the deceased did not forget is applied as well to the Tau-Tau, even down to the accessories ranging from hats to diamond gold.
Previously, Tana Toraja region exclusively covered by hills and mountains in the surrounding natural. Until now too, if you come from Enrekang, you must enter the gates of a large stone on top of it where there is Tongkonan as you enter the gate sign Toraja region. Even From Toraja to Palopo, covering the natural landscape and at the same time maintaining this area. The road winding past cliffs adorn segment Rantepao - Palopo. News landslides become a common thing in this segment. Now, along with the rise of regional autonomy, Toraja did not want to miss. Tana Toraja regency that used to be only one, blooming into two: the Toraja and North Toraja. Each district has its own capital city Makale and Rantepao. Rantepao, the central tourist city in Toraja eventually become the capital of the North after the bloom of the Toraja in the south. Commonly visited tourist attraction in Tana Toraja is neither the city. Both cities center is just a starting point for tourists. A number of tourist-dominated village tour, hanging graves, grave stone wall rocks, trees grave, sarcophagus called Erong, to waterfalls, pools and hot springs are scattered throughout the region. Tourist attraction around Tana Toraja (the term is common to call both the Toraja region) is very much from a very well known until quite small and newly developed. Access is also varied, there is a large roadside, rather go into, go through bad roads, so that can only be accessed by foot only. a week in this place would not be satisfied to see the whole object of the tour. Not to mention, the opportunity to see the day of the market and a very unique ceremony. As if time was running fast in Tana Toraja.
For those of you who will visit Tana Toraja, please note that the climate in Tana Toraja tend cold. Warm clothes and a scarf is compulsory if you visit this place. Do not be surprised if you see a thick fog that covered your views, especially when you are in the margins of Toraja is higher than urban areas. By day, you do not need warm clothes because the air quite friendly, tropical standard. For you the Moslem visitors, please understand that the Toraja are Christian territory. Although the Toraja people still adhered to the local belief Aluk Todolo with Puang Matua as his Lord, but Christianity is the religion that dominates this region. Well, for you the moslem visitors, you should be aware of the food menu at this place because of the Toraja people consume pork (you can see a row of pigs with a wide range of sizes lined up on the day the market in Toraja). If you want to play it safe, find food Pangkajene a lot of standing in this place (even in parts of South Sulawesi), for example soup konro, Cotto, Sop Saudara and fried chicken. If you're not sure, you should always ask before you eat everything.
Now, with this, it looks like you're ready to go to Tana Toraja. You will meet the hospitality of Toraja once you set foot on this territory. Develop a smile and asked to not get lost, get ready to melt would friendliness of Tana Toraja.