About Rambu Tuka'

WHEN blessed and happy, Torajanese held Rambu Tuka. The ceremony is interesting due to variety of attractions, dances, and songs of a unique culture of Toraja. There is no sadness, only excitement. In this ceremony there is a procession to spear buffalo.

Rambu Tuka has many types. Some traditional ceremonies which included in Rambu Tuka category are Mangrara Banua (expression of gratitude to God after Tongkonan rehabilitation), Aluk Ma'lolo (birth ceremony), and Aluk Tanaman (ritual party for success of harvest). Among its category, Mangrara Banua is largest and more popular.

Rambu Tuka ceremony held in eastern Tongkonan (Torajanese traditional wooden house) before noon. This is different way with Rambu Solo that held afternoon in western Tongkonan. As the ceremony of excitement, Rambu Tuka held when sun rise. While Rambu Solo is held when sun sink.

In series of procession, variety of dance is held. That is pa'gellu, pa'boneballa, gellu tungga', ondo samalele, pa'dao bulan, pa'burake, memanna, maluya, pa'tirra', and others. For art music there are pa'pompang, pa'barrung, and pa'pelle'. Dance music and art that is displayed on the Rambu Solo can not be displayed on Rambu Tuka.

In Rambu Tuka ceremony, guests who attended ma'sandong dance. They stand around and hold hands each other. The dancing like this also held in Rambu Solo ceremony called ma'badong. But the difference is, ma'badong is a dance with slow movement, while ma'sandong is a jerk dance.

Dances and songs were held during the ceremony. Replacement the elements of Tongkonan such as roof, doors, carved objects, and other traditional accessories, have been done six months earlier. With Mangrara Banua, Tongkonan will always be well taken care.

Interesting attractions in the procession is buffalo slaughter. The buffalo is unique. Should not be striped or mud buffalo such as in Rambu Solo. But the buffalo must never have sexual intercourse. Slaughter also unique, stab with spear first then followed with chickens and pigs butch.

Mangrara Banua is rare ceremony. Because of Tongkonan improved after 50 up to 60 years. The amount of ceremony depends on concerned social strata

This is in contrast to Rambu Solo. Torajan people also celebrate their happines through a festival called Rambu Tuka. It is done in events such as wedding parties, after a succesful plant harvet, after building a new Tongkonan or renovating the old one, after a mother giving birth, etc.

 Everything in Rambu Tuka is done to differ from Rambu Solo. So, it is started when the sun rises reflecting new hopes and bright futures, unike with Rambu Solo which is done at down when the sun is about to go off. The location of the parties is on the east of the Tongkonan, while Ramb Solo is on the west of it. Dancing performed with more dynamic moves, while in Rambu Solo dancing is characterised with calm and slow moves characterising sadness. The same for singing.

 Guests are often asked to get involve in dancing and singing in both Rambus. To Torajans, guests involvement is to give guests time to feel what they are feeling, sad or happy. So, if you find yourself in one of those just need to remember in what Rambu you are in. In Rambu Solo, you are expected to dance or sing calmly and solwly, while in Rambu Tuka you are expected to sing with full excitement and happiness. Not the way around.