Aluk To Dolo

Although the rituals created ties between villages, there was great diversity in dialects, social hierarchies, and ritual practices in the highlands of Sulawesi. The event was documented by National Geographic and broadcast in several European countries. Western tourists were encouraged to visit the Stone Age villages and ancient burial grounds.

Schools were established and teachers were brought in from Sangihe Talaud and Ambon. In 1970, Aluk Todolo was protected by the state and officially categorized as Hindu, often referred to as Hindu Alukta. This migration occurred until 1985.

The Indonesian government has recognized Aluk To Dolo / Hindu Alukta as part of Hinduism in Indonesia. They still adhere to animism and have not been touched by the outside world. Relationships between families are expressed through blood, marriage, and sharing ancestral homes, practically marked by the exchange of buffalo and pigs in rituals.

Rituals related to the tongkonan are very important in the spiritual life of the Toraja tribe, therefore all family members are required to participate because the tongkonan symbolizes their relationship with their ancestors. When the ancestors of the Toraja tribe came down to earth, they imitated the house & held a big ceremony. A dance called mabua can only be performed once every 12 years.

Aluk Todolo is the original religion of the ancestors of the Toraja tribe which is still practiced by a large number of Toraja people. Datu Laukku and his descendants continued to live in the sky for several generations & from his descendants, the first to be sent down to earth was Pong Bura Langi. On earth, Pong Bura Langi then had his first descendant & was called Pong Mula Tau.

Several other descendants of Datu Laukku also came down to earth. Among those who came down from the sky were Pong Suloara in Sesean, Tamboro Langi in Kandora & Ri Kesu on Mount Kesu. They are called tomanurun di langi which means people who came down from the sky.

Meanwhile, aluk sanda saratu came later, but aluk sanda saratu only developed in the Tallu Lembangna area. In the Toraja myth, the ancestors of the Toraja people came from heaven using stairs which were then used by the Toraja tribe as a way to connect with Puang Matua, the creator. The majority of the Tana Toraja community still adheres to local customs, habits & Aluk Todolo beliefs which are of course ancestral teachings.

The Dutch saw the Toraja tribe who adhere to animism as a potential target for Christianization. Islam entered through trade relations with Bugis traders, by utilizing the direction of the Madandan river, which functioned as a trade route from the southern region. This is shown by evidence in the form of an old tomb in Sangalla, which is located about 10km from Makale as evidence.

Above the tombstone, there is an inscription using Arabic letters.