Toraja term now, originally named “Tondok Lepongan
Bulan Tana Mantarik Allo” means a form of government servants, and community
service is an entity that round / circular like the moon and sun bowler. In
traditional zoning map by Tangdilintin and is expected to last from the IX
century, broadly divided into three major groups, namely the eastern, middle
and western.
The term Toraja, was introduced in the 17th century
by J. Kruit and N. Adriani with understanding To = people, Riaja = north over
the mountains. The name was developed to Tana Toraja the relationship with the
surrounding kingdoms as Sinderang, bone, Luwu and others. Name that is until we
now know, by appointing the people who live in the district as Toraja.
Regarding relations with the Toraja kingdoms surrounding the King of Gowa
notes Lontarak and Tallok stated that in October 1632 the king sailed to Toraja
and in November of this year, the king returned from Toraja after defeating
Bolong (Basang, 1985/1986). Then recorded by Tangdilintin that in the year 1675
Pallaka White army continually invaded the area around Toraja Toraja known by
people as the Kasaeanna To Bone (arrival of the Bone). The attack was greeted
with unity Toraja people were pioneered by some of the nobles, among others
Siambe Kalua Pong, Pong Siambe Sanggalla and others. In the history of the
struggle known password union Toraja as "To The Masses To Tindo
Pangimpi". Come together for one purpose.
White Palakka left Tana Toraja in 1680. Security
conditions in Toraja it was quite good, and lasted until 1889-1890. At the time
it happened again in the Toraja war known as the War of coffee. The war took
place between the merchants of Bugis Sindenreng and Awitto against merchants of
Luwu. People Toraja each helping its allies.
The civil war that lasted until the entry of the
Netherlands in 1906, after the war propaganda of Pacification managed to
conquer the entire region of South Sulawesi. In the war against the Dutch
famous fighters such as Pong Tiku Tana Toraja, Pong Simpin, Puang Alla, Uwa
Saruran (both are warriors of the kingdom Alla and malua that help Toraja),
Bombing and other against Dutch presence. Their struggle even lasted until 1907
by which Tiku pong since he was arrested on June 30, 1907 and was shot dead by
the Netherlands on 10 July 1907 in the River Sa'dang Rantepao. Since then,
governments in the region Toraja district about Onder Afdeling Makale Fdeling
Luwu.
Conditions reign lasted until the entry of the
Japanese occupation. Furthermore, the time for independence in Tana Toraja
people took part with the support of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia marked
the first Red and White Flag in Tana Toraja and are still stored until now in
Ke'te Kesu.
Toraja is now located between 199 'and 120 BT and 2'
and 3'LS with an area of 3205.77 km. The area is bordered on the north by the
district and Mamuju Luwu, Luwu eastward south district Enrekang and Pinrang and
west of the district bordering Mamasa.
Residential areas of the Toraja are generally
located in the mountain, with an altitude between 600-2800 m from the sea
level. The area is the mountains forming the steep valleys and deep, forming
large rivers with heavy water flow. Tofografi shape like that, cause Tana
Toraja area is very beautiful to look at with the cool weather, even during the
rainy season in the region as a servants were above the clouds. As a result of
settlement separated and isolated by hills, mountains and streams.
Toraja people are generally happy to keep animals
such as pigs, buffaloes, chickens, and dogs. Buffalo and pigs are peliharan
that have particular significance to them, namely the assessment standards,
economically and social status. The animals were very important in ceremonies
both Rambu Tuka (joy / joy) and Rambu Solo (grief).
In ancient times the Toraja settlements built on
kinship ties rope. Means that in a village inhabited by people who come from a
common ancestor or ancestors. In the settlement that they build Tongkonan as
the center and surrounded by houses and other social buildings. That is why so
each Tongkonan, is tongkonan to one lineage or ancestry.