The Toraja people of Indonesia practice this absurd culture of putting a body in a temporary coffin before resurrecting ‘it’. In villages located in the mountains of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Shamans have been raising the dead for centuries.
According to the religious beliefs of the Toraja people, in order for a deceased person to reach the afterlife known as “Puya” or “The Land of Souls”, their corpse must be returned to the place of their birth for burial.
The corpse is raised from the dead and walks to its new resting place. This practice of people treating the bodies of their dead relatives as though they are still alive happens just about 800km from Bali.
For many, this may seem absurd. However, the tradition has long been practised by the Torajans, dating back to several centuries, BBC reported.
The ethnic group, consisting of one million people, believe that the soul of a person remains near the body even after death and that a well-preserved body brings them good fortune
After someone passes away, the families go through great efforts to care for them by providing them with food, clothing, water, and even a bowl to use as a “toilet”.
To remove the stench of decaying odours, the bodies are mummified and special leaves and herbs are rubbed onto them. A chemical solution called formalin is coated onto the corpses to preserve the flesh and skin from rotting, The Sun reported.
The bodies are then wrapped in blankets and live in the homes until their funerals – which can often take place months or decades later. For Torajans, funerals are a long, gradual process of grieving over their loved ones, and keeping the dead bodies is part of that tradition
According to the BBC, the families believe that the spirits of the deceased may give them trouble if they do not care for them when they die. A traditional ritual is usually held annually, known as ‘Ma’nene’, which simply means “care for ancestors”.
It’s a time when the dead are removed from the coffins, washed of dirt and insects, dressed in clothes, and brought to the village. Similar to a wedding, these “second funerals” are seen as a celebration of life rather than a moment of despair.
It is also a time when the younger generation can “meet their ancestors”, offer food and cigarettes, or take a selfie, The Sun revealed. The dead are then returned to their coffins and left with gifts, such as watches and jewellery.
The tradition is continued every couple of years, as families take out the coffins of their deceased loved ones for a reunion, BBC revealed.
