SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Unique funeral traditions in Indonesia have their own charm in terms of tourism. Many local and foreign tourists are interested in witnessing the cultural diversity of this country.

Different regions in Indonesia have different funeral traditions. This refers to the beliefs and traditions passed down from ancestors that are still preserved today.

In addition to delivering the body to its final resting place, these unique funeral traditions in Indonesia are also full of deep philosophical values and meanings. Check out five unique funeral traditions in Indonesia quoted from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) page below.

1. Ngaben

Ngaben is one of the most popular funeral traditions at home and abroad. This Balinese Hindu tradition aims to purify the spirit of the deceased.

To carry out Ngaben, there are several traditional ceremonies that must be held. One of them is to build a wooden ox as a place for the corpse of the Ngaben procession.

At the peak of the Ngaben procession is Ngeseng Sawa, which is the burning of the corpse. The wooden oxen are also burned with the aim of “confusing” the spirits so that they do not return to the world.

After the process of burning the corpse is complete, it is then continued with the Nganyut procession, which is to wash the ashes of the corpse into the sea. This symbolizes the reunion of the soul with nature.

2. Rambu Solo

This funeral tradition from Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi is believed by the Toraja people to be the completion of death, as well as a form of respect and delivering the spirit to the spirit world.

However, the Rambu Solo funeral tradition must go through a relatively long process of traditional ceremonies, one of which is that the family must sacrifice animals, either pigs or buffaloes.

Tens to hundreds of animals can be sacrificed in this procession, adjusting the social strata of the corpse. No wonder the Rambu Solo ceremony can be held for 3-7 consecutive days.

After the ceremony is over, the body can only be “buried” on a high rock cliff or called Lemo. The Toraja people believe that the Rambu Solo tradition can deliver the spirit faster to Puya or heaven.

3. Tiwah

Tiwah is a funeral tradition practiced by the Ngaju Dayak Tribe in Central Kalimantan. Uniquely, this tradition is carried out after the body has been buried for several years, leaving only bones.

According to the beliefs of the Ngaju Dayak community, Tiwah is carried out to deliver the spirits of ancestors to the place of origin of the spirit or Lewu Tatau together with Ranying, the highest god figure in the Dayak community's belief.

In general, the Ngaju Dayak funeral tradition is held for 3 days to a full month. The procession begins by building a sandung rahung to store the bones, then preparing a buffalo that is tied near the sandung rahung. At the end of the ritual, the spirit will travel to Lewu Tatau, while accompanied by a buffalo sacrifice procession by spearing.

4. Mummification

Another unique funeral tradition comes from the Land of Papua, specifically carried out by the Asmat Tribe, which involves preserving the body like a mummy. However, not everyone can be mummified, usually mummification is done to those who have the highest position, such as tribal chiefs or Asmat warlords.

The body will be covered with a certain natural herb, then placed on a fireplace to go through a slow smoking process.

After a few years, the mummified body will turn black, and then it will be displayed in front of the Asmat traditional house. If there are important events such as traditional rituals, then the mummy will be seated facing many people to commemorate his services.

5. Mangokal Holi

The Samosir Island, which is in the middle of Lake Toba, also has a funeral tradition that is equally unique, namely Mangokal Holi. This tradition is a hereditary belief of the Samosir Island community with the removal of ancestral skull bones as a form of respect.

The Mangokal Holi tradition is carried out by dismantling the graves of long-dead families and placing the bones on a monument. The Samosir people believe that the Mangokal Holi tradition can bring the spirits of ancestors closer to the Creator.

The Mangokal Holi funeral tradition also aims to unite the bodies of all family members in a beautiful monument. The more beautiful, expensive and taller the monument is, the higher the status of the clan that owns the grave.