The tourism potential owned by the Indonesian archipelago is not only lies on the panoramic beauty that stretches across many regions in Indonesia, but also lies on diversity of cultures that captivated millions of tourists to visit. Travelounge summarizes the “unique” traditions not to be missed by tourists that exist in Indonesia.
1. Rambu Solo
Rambu Solo is a popular traditional funeral ceremony in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi. For Toraja people, someone is considered leaving the realm of the living only after the ceremony is done. According to local belief, the ceremony will determine whether the soul of the dead will only be a lost soul or be equal to their God.
The higher a social status of a family, the more attractive the ceremony is held. A noble family may slaughter 24 to 100 buffalos for the ceremony. Despite the fact that most of people in Toraja embrace Protestant or Catholic, the tradition continues to be hold every July and August.
2. Omed-omedan
While kissing in front of public is considered as taboo in most parts of Indonesia, omed-omedan tradition in Bali let the boys kiss the girls in a celebration day after Nyepi. In this event, a group of boys and girls standing in rows, then they will start pushing and pulling each other. While being pushed forward, the boys will then grab the girl in front of them and kiss the girls.
3. Finger cutting
The Dani tribe who settles on Yakuhimo highlands in Papua has a unique tradition of cutting one of their fingers when their family members pass away. The members of Dani tribe believe that the pain caused but cutting their fingers symbolizes the sadness of losing their loved ones.
‘Every finger has its own function’ is the saying that grounds the tradition.
