The Toraja people who live on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia have a unique tradition. They keep the dead bodies of their ancestors with them for a certain period of time . They feed them, change their clothes, pray with them .
They believe that even after someone dies, their spirit is still around. That's why they keep the bodies of their ancestors in their homes.
Every few years, the family members of the deceased will take their loved one's body out of the coffin and clean it. They will dress the body in new clothes before taking it on a tour of the village in a procession. This tradition is called "ma'nene."
Photos : Google
The Toraja people do this to show their love and respect for their ancestors. They believe that their ancestors can still help and protect them, even after death. It is an important part of their culture and way of life.
Some people think that this tradition is strange or disrespectful, but the Toraja people see it as a way of keeping their loved ones close. They believe that it is a way of honoring their ancestors and remembering their importance in their lives.
Photos : Google
The Toraja people's tradition of keeping the dead bodies of their ancestors in their homes may be different from what we are used to, but it reminds us that there are many different ways that people view death and the afterlife. It shows the importance of family and community in Toraja culture, and the power of love and respect in the face of loss.