Many of you were probably traumatized by my ritual sacrifice photos. If so, you need to realize that these buffalo are treated extremely well during their lifetime--we're talking sponge baths--and slaughtered more humanely than the livestock you eat for dinner. (Sorry Ashley/vegetarian friends). Every part of the buffalo is then used after the ceremony. Also, in terms of me taking photos at a funeral--the locals encourage it. At this point ritual sacrifice in Toraja is less of a spiritual event and more of a tradition. The villagers often videotape it.
That being said, it is hard to watch and I don't plan on attending more funerals anytime soon.
Next on my to do list: cliff graves and dead baby tree.
The buffalo horns in the front of the house are a status symbol.
More buffalo horns = more buffalo sacrifices = more money
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment