August is a special month for the Toraja community in Panggala, North Toraja, South Sulawesi.
Right this month they will dig again the graves of relatives who have died to pay their respects.
Quoted by Galamedianews from DailyMail, Wednesday (26 August 2020), respect for deceased spirits is done by changing the clothes of the mummified bodies.
Believing in a life after death, this ritual is considered a celebration of the gifts of life.
In addition, the process of cleaning the coffin at this annual moment is carried out like a second funeral.
The preserved bodies were also invited to talk and be photographed together in new clothes.
The death ritual in Toraja is considered the greatest celebration of life by residents who believe that the connection between life and death is infinite.
This tradition is rooted in the culture of the Toraja people even though they are a Protestant Christian community.
According to tradition, when a loved one dies, the family first keeps the body for months, sometimes even years.
Both at home and tongkonan, special buildings designed to accommodate the dead.
This allows for the mummification of the body.
Before the funeral, during the mourning period, the family saves to prepare for burial needs and interacts with the bodies as if they were still alive.
The Toraja community considers death to be the most important aspect of life.
Not a few are willing to get into debt to fulfill all funeral rituals.
They also clean or replace the coffins to prevent the bodies from rotting.
After spending time with the bodies and re-dressing them in new clothes and cleaning the coffins, the bodies are re-buried with gifts in ornate and colorful chests.
Visitors are welcome during the ritual month which is August and can take part in this celebration.
