The Bizarre Tradition of Dressing Exhumed Bodies and Giving Them Cigarettes
The Toraja tribe in Indonesia has a unique tradition that involves exhuming their deceased family members and posing with their corpses. This practice, known as the Ma’nene or ‘Cleaning the Corpse Ceremony’, takes place every few years in late August when families gather to check on their mummified relatives.
During the ceremony, families exhume their long-dead loved ones, clean them, dress them up in new clothes, and parade them around the village. This tradition is believed to celebrate lineage and continuity and has recently been carried out in a northern village for the first time in 40 years.
The Toraja people, many wearing face masks, carefully clean the bodies with chemicals after pulling them out from caves dug into the side of a cliff. Once the bodies are cleaned and dressed, they are mummified and sealed in coffins to prevent decay until the next ceremony.
Samuel Matasak, a local Torajan, expressed that their connection with the spirits of their ancestors remains strong even after they have passed away. Yuliana Palino, another member of the community, finds joy in expressing love for their deceased parents through this tradition.
The origins of this practice date back to a story passed down through generations. A hunter named Pong Rumasek discovered an abandoned corpse and gave it a proper burial. After this act of kindness, he was blessed with luck and wealth, leading to the belief that caring for ancestors will bring rewards from the spirits.
In Toraja society, death is viewed as a gradual transition that requires careful preparation and involvement. The deceased are treated as if they are ‘sick’ or ‘sleeping’ until the family is ready to afford an elaborate funeral, which can take years to prepare and cost a significant amount of money.
Bison play a crucial role in Toraja culture, as they are sacrificed in large numbers during rituals to help carry the deceased to the afterlife. The belief is that sacrificing more bison will elevate the status of the deceased in the afterworld.
The unique and fascinating traditions of the Toraja tribe shed light on their deep connection with their ancestors and the spiritual world, making them a truly intriguing cultural phenomenon.
