History
According to myth, the first Toraja house was constructed in heaven by Puang Matua, the Creator (see: Religion). It was built on four poles, and the roof was made of Indian cloth. Next, Puang Matua ordered the construction of another house, on iron poles and a bamboo roof. When the ancestor of mankind descended to earth in the southern half of Toraja (in the area bordering the Regency of Enrekang), he imitated the heavenly house, and a big house ceremony was held for the occasion.
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The former village founder of Toraja , an important figure in Toraja , was called 'Tangdilino'. Near Mengkendek (southern Toraja ), a house was built that had a roof with its two ends bending upwards. This particular form is explained in various ways.
The first story stresses resemblance to a boat - since, according to myth, the ancestors of the Toraja people came by boat from the Mekong Delta in South China - the second story claims that the arch-shaped roof looks like the sky. This is, indeed, reflected in some prayers by the ancient animistic belief Aluk Todolo.
3 different types of Tongkonan
There are three types of Tongkonan which are classified according to their function in society.
Tongkonan layuk ('grand Tongkonan ') or Tongkonan pesio' aluk ('aluk maker') is the original ancestral home in which the aluk of a particular adat territory were established. The Grand Tongkonan is the seat of a kinship grouping that traces its descent from a single founding couple. It is the house of the highest authority and it is used as the center of government.
Tongkonan pekamberan, or Tongkonan Pekaindoran which belongs to the family group members and offspring of the founder. It is their duty to carry out local traditions (known as adat).
Tongkonan Batu, which belongs to the ordinary family members. Traditionally, only the nobility could afford to build large tongkonan and the elaborate ceremonies associated with them.
Differences
All 3 types of Tongkonan have same shape and facing north.
but there is a large pillar in the middle of tongkonan layuk and tongkonan pekaindoran
kabonggo (buffalo horn) and kalik (chicken head shape) only allowed in Tongkonan layuk and Tongkonan Pekaindoran
Tongkonan layuk and Tongkonan Pekaindoran are more respected by Torajan.
Ornament
Tongkonan house ornament in the form of a buffalo horn and the four basic colors are: black, red, yellow, and white representing the original trust Toraja (Aluk Dolo).
Each color used symbolize different things. The black color symbolizes death and darkness. Yellow is a symbol of grace and divine power. Red is the color that symbolizes the blood of human life. And, white is the color of flesh and bone which is holy.
Did you know..??
Tongkonan built without nails, using only wooden pegs instead of nails, and to construct a roof using a rope of rattan.
"A people without the knowledge of their past story ,origin and culture is like a tree without roots."
Marcus Garvey
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