Explanation of Tongkonan Meaning (traditional house) in Tana Toraja
Tongkonan is the traditional home of Toraja people. It consists of a pile of wooden structures whose roof is horned and decorated with carvings and red and black colors. The word "tongkon" comes from the Toraja language meaning "sitting" or sitting together. In addition to home, Tongkonan is the center of socio-cultural life of Toraja tribe. Rituals and ceremonies associated with traditional homes always involve large families.
Tongkonan is very important in the spiritual life of Toraja tribe. Therefore all family members will be bound by tongkonan. According to the Toraja folklore, the building was first built in heaven and when their ancestors descended to earth, they began to imitate the home of that paradise. In another version, it is said that, there was once a traditional leader named Londong. He tried to unite the group by holding a large ceremony. Implementation of the ceremony by means of slaughtering pigs. Then called Tongkonan which means the place of negotiation. The building was the first Tongkonan in Toraja and the first community was formed. This traditional house is a stage house with wooden frame construction.
The shape is rectangular because as the micro cosmos of this house is tied to the four wind direction with 4 certain ritual values. This Toraja pride building should be facing north so the head of the house coincides with the head of the sky as a source of happiness. Technically, the construction of this traditional house is a tiring job and takes a relatively long time, so it is done with a large number of people. Type Tongkonan layuk is the place of supreme power. It used to be the center of "government".
Tongkonan type Pekamberan is a container for family members with certain authority. This type of home is only for the people of choice. Tongkonan Batu is where most people live. There are also tongkonan built in one night for ceremonial purposes. Traditional houses for Toraja people are more than just traditional houses in general. And every tongkonan is made up of Tongkon and Alang which are considered to be husband and wife. Tongkonan and Alang facing each other. Tongkonan facing north and Alang facing south. The courtyard extends between buildings.
Aside from being a traditional house, the Torajans know three types of Tongkonan according to their customary role. Although the exact same shape, but functionally have differences. The first is called Tongkonan Layuk. This type of tongkonan is a center of adat strength and a place of rule-making. Next Tongkonan type Pekaindoran or Pekanberan. Tongkonan is a place to apply rules and special orders. And Tongkonan the last type is tongkonan Batu Ariri. Tongkonan this type serve as forging family coaching.
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| Look tongkonan |
Tongkonan is very important in the spiritual life of Toraja tribe. Therefore all family members will be bound by tongkonan. According to the Toraja folklore, the building was first built in heaven and when their ancestors descended to earth, they began to imitate the home of that paradise. In another version, it is said that, there was once a traditional leader named Londong. He tried to unite the group by holding a large ceremony. Implementation of the ceremony by means of slaughtering pigs. Then called Tongkonan which means the place of negotiation. The building was the first Tongkonan in Toraja and the first community was formed. This traditional house is a stage house with wooden frame construction.
| Front view custom house toraja |
The shape is rectangular because as the micro cosmos of this house is tied to the four wind direction with 4 certain ritual values. This Toraja pride building should be facing north so the head of the house coincides with the head of the sky as a source of happiness. Technically, the construction of this traditional house is a tiring job and takes a relatively long time, so it is done with a large number of people. Type Tongkonan layuk is the place of supreme power. It used to be the center of "government".
Tongkonan type Pekamberan is a container for family members with certain authority. This type of home is only for the people of choice. Tongkonan Batu is where most people live. There are also tongkonan built in one night for ceremonial purposes. Traditional houses for Toraja people are more than just traditional houses in general. And every tongkonan is made up of Tongkon and Alang which are considered to be husband and wife. Tongkonan and Alang facing each other. Tongkonan facing north and Alang facing south. The courtyard extends between buildings.
Aside from being a traditional house, the Torajans know three types of Tongkonan according to their customary role. Although the exact same shape, but functionally have differences. The first is called Tongkonan Layuk. This type of tongkonan is a center of adat strength and a place of rule-making. Next Tongkonan type Pekaindoran or Pekanberan. Tongkonan is a place to apply rules and special orders. And Tongkonan the last type is tongkonan Batu Ariri. Tongkonan this type serve as forging family coaching.
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