Tedong (Buffalo): Symbol of Nobility, Humanity, and Entertaiment in Funeral Ceremony in The Indigenous Torajan, Indonesia

Abstract

In the sociocultural life of Toraja people, buffalo are not ordinary animals. If some people in Indonesia make buffalo as farm animals only, then in Toraja, Indonesia, buffalo as a symbol of social status, humanity, and entertaiment. This is in line with the purpose of this research is to reveal the value of the Tedong (Buffalo) in funeral ceremony. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. Data in this study gained in funeral ceremony. Data is collected through observation techniques, records, interviews, and documentation. The results of the research indicated that tedong (buffalo) in the funeral ceremony is as a marker of a person's nobility. The nobility or social status sign is determined by how many buffalo are sacrificed, which is in line with ritual utterance in rambu solo’  that is pronounced by Tominaa. The more tedong (buffalo) the sacrificed, the higher the social status of one. Conversely, the fewer tedong (buffalos) are sacrificed, the lower the social status of one. In addition, tedong (buffalo) also marks the sense of humanity that looks through the activities of Mantaa Duku'. The value of Buffalo as entertainment seemed  in the activity of Ma’ pasilaga tedong.