Contemporary Funeral Rituals of Sa'dan Toraja. From Aluk Todolo to "New" Religions

Contemporary Funeral Rituals takes you inside the fascinating world of the Sa’dan Toraja, who inhabit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The author explores first-hand the most important contemporary Toraja ritual – the funeral – and documents and analyses the changes brought about by the Toraja leaving their autochthonous religion Aluk Todolo behind and embracing Christianity during the last century.

Acknowledgements
1 Introduction
1.1 Themes and Objective of the Present Work
1.2 Structure of the Present Work
1.3 Research Thus Far
1.4 Field Research and Methods of Work
1.5 Informants
1.6 Gathered Material and Methods of Analysis

2 The foundations of Toraja culture
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Tana Toraja and Its Inhabitants
2.2.1 origins of the Population
2.2.2 contemporary Understanding of the Term Toraja and the Ethnological
2.2.3 etymology of the Term Toraja
2.2.4 geography, climate and economy of the Toraja Region
2.2.5 Key Historical events
2.2.6 Language and Literature
2.3 Autochthonous Religion Aluk Todolo and Adoption of christianity
2.3.1 Aluk Todolo (Alukta)
2.3.2 Social and ceremonial Roles in Aluk Todolo Rituals
2.3.3 The Pesung (offerings)
2.3.4 The Adoption of christianity
2.4 Important Aspects of Toraja Culture
2.4.1 Social Stratification and Its Influence on Society
2.4.2 The Classification of Rituals
2.4.3 The Traditional House
2.4.4 Types of Tombs
2.4.5 The Buffalo - the Most Important Animal in Toraja Culture

3 Forms of funeral rituals in the past and today
3.1 Introduction
3.2 General Information on Funeral Rites
3.2.1 The Soul After Death
3.2.2 Providing for the Body After Death
3.2.3 The Role of the Social Status of the Deceased and the Financial Situation of the Family Regarding the Character and Duration of the Funeral
3.2.4 The Site of the Funeral Rite and Attendant Rituals
3.3 The Actual Catholic Funeral and the Shift in Meaning in Some Rites Practised by Christians
3.3.1 Account of Yohana Maria Sumbung's Funeral
3.3.2 The Shift in Meaning in Some Rites Practised by Christians
3.4 Toraja Pentecostalists and Their Funerals
3.4.1 The Funeral of Ne' Tappi and Interview with Her Son, Duma' Rante Tasik
3.4.2 Information Provided by Pastor Nehemia Tangkin and his Wife Saarah Salino
3.4.3 Interview with Pastor Yunus Padang
3.4.4 Practices Rejected by Pentecostalists
3.5 Toraja Muslims
3.5.1 Toraja Muslim Death-Related Rites
3.5.2 Malam empatpuluh (the Fortieth Night)
3.5.3 The Slaughter of the Buffaloes
3.5.4 Interview with Mrs. Nurhayati

4 Conclusion
4.1 Transformation of Toraja Culture and Religion
4.2 Funeral Rites

Summary
Resumé
Bibliography
Appendices

Transcription of Interviews in Indonesian
Wawancara n. 1
Wawancara n. 2
Wawancara n. 3
Wawancara n. 4
Wawancara n. 5
Wawancara n. 6
Wawancara n. 7
Wawancara n. 8
Timetable of Funeral of Yohana Maria Sumbung
Main Informants
Genealogies of the gods
Photographs
Glossary and Index of essential Toraja and Indonesian Terms and Names cited in the Present Work