South Sulawesi in Pictures 3: Toraja Graves in Cliffs and Caves

Tana Toraja has much to offer to tourists, and its unique graves in cliffs and caves along with statues of the dead are one of the stranger highlights.

Graves in Cliffs

At Lemo village these graves are built into the cliff, and wooden statues of the dead are displayed in balconies alongside.

 

Graves in cliffs

Graves in cliffs with wooden doors.

 

Shop selling tau tau

This shop sells tau tau, wooden statues of the dead. Would you want to buy one?

 

Tau tau

Tau tau, statues of the deceased, at Lemo village

 

Tau tau 2

Tau tau waving. The people represented by these statues are buried in the cliff graves.

 

Tau tau 3

Some more scary-looking tau tau.

 

Tau tau 4

The dead stare back.

 

Hanging graves at Londa village

Hanging coffins at Londa village. These are located just outside the caves of graves.

 

Tau tau at Londa

Tau tau, statues of the dead, at Londa village

 

Coffins in the cave

Coffins in the cave at Londa village.

 

Offerings

Offerings to the deceased can take the form of anything the person enjoyed while he or she was alive.

 

Coffins stacked up

Inside the caves at Londa village, the coffins are stacked up and fitted in wherever possible.