4 Toraja Carvings and Their Meanings for the Indigenous Community

Toraja Banua Tongkonan Traditional House (Kemenparekraf.go.id)

YOGYAKARTA - Toraja carvings are not only functional as aesthetics. There is a deep meaning and philosophy in every sculpture created by the Toraja people, South Sulawesi. This article will discuss what are the various Toraja carvings and their meanings for the life of the local community which is now an important cultural heritage.

In a scientific paper entitled "Uncovering the Meaning and Meaning of Toraja Carvings in Tonga Village through Documentary Films" written by Maylvin Premier Gusmawan, et al., it is said that Toraja carvings have symbolic, religious, and social meanings that are held firmly to this day.

The carvings of Tana Toraja can be found in traditional buildings called Banua Tongkonan. The building has a very important role, for example as a place for customary rulers to discuss matters related to customs and social life of the Toraja tribe.

It is worth noting that the Toraja tribe has many carvings with different philosophies. However, there are 4 basic carvings that must be in every Tongkonan house and become the parent of hundreds of Toraja carvings. The four carvings are called garonto' passura'. Here are the four core carvings of the Toraja tribe and their meanings.

Allo can refer to the sun. As the name implies, the Toraja Pa'Barre Allo carving is shaped like a complete round sun with its rays. This carving has several very important meanings, namely the symbol of the greatness and greatness of the Toraja people, and the greatness of the ancestors as to manurun in langi'to bu'tu ri uai and to sae dio mai engkokna padang.

Pa'Tedong is an engraving that depicts the head of a buffalo. The Pa'Tedong engraving is one of the foundations of the Toraja tribe's carvings, which symbolizes the backbone of life as well as the prosperity and hard work of the indigenous people.

The selection of buffalo as one of the motifs of this carving is indeed related to the status of the animal. It is known that for the Toraja people, buffalo is a very valuable pet. It even becomes a symbol of social status for the local community.

Pa'Manuk London is a Toraja carving symbolized by a rooster. This carving is usually installed in the front or back of the house and barn with a position above the Pa'Barre Allo carving.

Toraja Pa'Manuk Londong carvings mean as norms and rules that come from the sky to regulate human life. The rules in question include norms, customary laws, to leadership. These rules then become the basis of community life.

Pa'Sussuk carvings are geometric carvings of vertical lines that are parallel. This carving is different from others because it is not colored. Pa'Sussuk is a manifestation of the Toraja tribe that upholds togetherness, cooperation, and mutual cooperation. This carving is only installed on important tongkonan which is commonly used to determine customary policies.

That's the information related to Toraja carvings and their meanings. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.