THE HIGH PRICE OF DEATH IN TORAJALAND

In Torajaland, the living owe the dead a debt. A funeral is the ultimate status symbol. The price is high.

Buffalo sacrifice is an important part of the funeral rituals in Torajaland, and the wealthier the family, the more buffalos must be slaughtered. Rich or poor, the cost of a funeral is usually a heavy burden — so much so that it often takes several years after someone dies before enough money is saved to buy the appropriate amount of buffalos for a funeral.