Indonesian Matador : Traditional Culture From South Sulawesi

Mapasilaga tedong is a unique tradition which dedicated for the ancestors of Tana Toraja. This event are routinely performed at a funeral of people who had died several years ago, as they were called as “Rambu Solo”.

Amalia Rosa / Via wordpress.com

If you heard the word matador, the first thing that pop up in your mind must be “Spain” or “a bull”. But did you know that Indonesia also has a matador tradition? This uniqe tradition comes from Tana Toraja which is a beautiful region of South Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. Tana Toraja is one of the most famous tourist attraction in South Sulawesi as well as a home for Torajan. Torajan thick with their mystical power and their belief in ancestors. They have several traditions and one of them is Mapasilaga Tedong. Mapasilaga tedong is a unique tradition which dedicated for the ancestors of Tana Toraja. This event are routinely performed at a funeral of people who had died several years ago, as they were called as “Rambu Solo”. Mapasilaga Tedong event held before the ceremony of burial began. Buffaloes that will be pitted, lined up on the field where the ceremony will be held.

Buffaloes are being paraded by the gong bearers, banners (palm fronds decorating doorways) carrier, and a number of women from the bereaved family to the field that located in Rante (cemetery). At the time when buffaloes leaving the place, the music accompaniment will be played. The rhythm of traditional music come from a number of women who pounding rice in a mortar alternately.

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The area of buffalo race should be placed in a vast rice field and muddy. Mapasilaga Tedong only use three types of buffaloes which allowed to be compete; Albino buffalo, Mud buffalo mud (only in Tana Toraja), Salepo buffalo which has a black mark on the back. Mapasilaga Tedong begins with two buffaloes pitted against each others. Buffalo that was lost is the one that run from the area. In addition, there is also a procession of cutting buffalo head with a machete which done in one swipe.