In one of the villages in Indonesia, there are people who exhumed the dead every three years, clean them, and then take commemorative photos with them. Stay with Saad News to learn about this ritual.
For many people, the hardest part of losing a loved one is not being able to see them anymore. The deceased is buried, and the only way to see them again is through photos, videos, and memories. However, in Indonesia, there is a group of people who apparently have not accepted this reality and conduct a strange and terrifying ritual. Every three years, a ceremony takes place in Indonesia where the bodies are exhumed and cleaned. Most people in this region save money throughout their lives to have a dignified burial for themselves, but after burial, every three years, they are exhumed to participate in this somewhat scary ritual.
Losing a loved one is difficult, and being apart from them is unbearable. In Indonesia, there are people who exhume their dead relatives every three years and bring them out. After cleaning the deceased, they dress them in new clothes, put on their glasses and hats, and take part in the Ma'nene ceremony with them. These people live in Toraja, on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. This strange and terrifying custom has been practiced in the village of Lembang Paton for over 900 years.
After the exhumation and dressing of the deceased in new clothes, the whole family gathers around their loved one or loved ones, shares a meal, takes commemorative photos, and even gives them gifts. One family might offer cigarettes to their recently exhumed relative, while another might place sunglasses on their face, all while honoring their memory. After the ceremony, they say their goodbyes and place the deceased back into the grave! It can be assumed that the Toraja burial custom, called "Rambu Solo," is not a cheap process, and it costs families tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, families prefer to keep the body at home until they can afford the funeral, which may take weeks or months! To preserve the body, they wrap it like a mummy and place it in a special room, treating it as if the deceased is simply sick and bedridden. Eventually, when the funds are available, the burial ceremony takes place, and the deceased is laid to rest until the next Ma'nene ceremony.
Every three years, the people of Lembang Paton village perform the ritual of cleaning the bodies of their deceased loved ones. The village elders begin singing for several days, and then each body is respectfully and ceremoniously exhumed by family members. They are cleaned with brushes, dressed in new clothes, and even their coffins are repaired and, if necessary, replaced with new ones. The scene of the body emerging from the grave and returning to the family is both terrifying and the most poignant moment! The family members gather around the deceased, who may be their mother or father, embrace them, and enjoy the sight of their loved one once again. Sometimes these deceased individuals have been dead for one or two years, while in other cases, decades have passed since their death. In these instances, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have the chance to see their grandparents up close once again.
Once every three years, the people of Lembang Paton perform the ritual of cleaning their deceased relatives' bodies. Village chiefs and elders begin singing for several days, and then each body is respectfully exhumed with ceremony by their family members. The body is cleaned, new clothes are put on, and even the coffin is repaired or replaced if needed. The scene of the body being exhumed and returned to its family is both terrifying and incredibly emotional. The family gathers around the deceased, hugs them, and celebrates the reunion. Sometimes the dead have only been gone for a year or two, and sometimes it's been decades. In these cases, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren get a chance to see their ancestors once more.
The Torajans, a group of people living on the island of Sulawesi who believe in this tradition, have a population of about one million. They firmly believe that they must speak to the deceased, dress them again, and take photos with them. The Torajans believe that the spirits of the dead remain in the world until the funeral ceremony, and once the spirit becomes immortal, it begins its journey to the land of spirits. In this strange village, families keep their deceased loved ones' bodies until they have saved enough money for the funeral ceremony. In the past, the locals used natural substances such as sour vinegar and tea leaves to mummify the dead, but now they use newer methods such as injecting formaldehyde into the body.
While these scenes may be unsettling for people around the world, the residents of this region happily clean the bodies, take photos with them, and pray for their souls' peace.
When viewed from the perspective of an outsider, the Ma'nene ceremony might seem very strange and meaningless. However, if we look at it from the cultural and religious perspective of the people in the village, or even have the opportunity to witness the Ma'nene ceremony in person, we may better understand their beliefs and customs. What do you think of this ceremony? Would you be able to attend it?
