Tongkonan Dismantled By Court, Kemenbud Reminds Of The Risk Of Loss Of Cultural Values

The massive floods that hit Aeh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra damaged various things, including cultural heritage. (IST)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture highlighted the execution of Tongkonan Ka pun in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, which was carried out by the Maale District Court on December 5, 2025. The execution was a continuation of the land dispute between the Sarra and Roreng families which had been going on since 1986.

The Director General of Cultural and Traditional Protection, Restu Gunawan, stated that the government respects the legal process, but sees this event as a serious issue involving the sustainability of Toraja culture. This is not just a land dispute, but concerns cultural heritage that has historical, architectural and social identity values. The state is obliged to ensure that the legal process does not erase the value of tradition," said Director General of Restu Gunawan in a written statement received Thursday, December 11.

The object of execution includes one barrel of hundreds of years old, two new barrels, six rice barns, and two semi-permanent houses. The demolition was carried out using the excavator according to a court order. Initial findings show Tongkonan Ka is not yet a cultural heritage status, although he was once recorded as an Alleged Cultural Conservation Object (ODCB) in 2017, and does not have an active traditional function.

The Ministry of Culture considers this case to be a reminder of the importance of updating data and identifying Toraja traditional residential areas. The complexity of land ownership and traditional settlement patterns demands strengthening regulations, traditional institutions, spatial planning, and mechanisms for determining cultural heritage.

As a follow-up, the Ministry of Education and Culture strengthens the mapping of Toraja traditional settlements in collaboration with BPK Region XIX, local governments, academics, BRIN, and traditional institutions. The government is also preparing to improve cultural conservation policies at the regional level, including technical assistance in determining cultural heritage.

Restu emphasized that the hangout is a symbol of lineage and the social life center of the Toraja people. "We are committed to strengthening the protection of traditional settlements so that similar incidents can be prevented and cultural values are inherited as a whole," he said.

The Ministry of Education and Culture invites all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in maintaining Toraja cultural heritage and the rich culture of the archipelago.