Overwhelming. That is the only word for today’s experiences on the island of Sulawesi. The day began with an elaborate dockside greeting in the port city of Palopo, and then we departed for the highlands of Toraja. There we were privileged to observe – and not just observe, but to participate in – one of the world’s most extraordinary funeral rituals. In the Toraja culture, life is but a preparation for the afterlife, and thus death is celebrated as a transition to a better world. Funerals last a week or more and are great gatherings with families from across the region taking turns to honor the dead and demonstrate their wealth and position with gifts, dances, and sacrifices of water buffalo which carry the souls of the dead to the next world. We were welcomed into the ceremonies and took our turn to sit with the families of the deceased – a revered couple, both of whom had lived to over 100 years old. Later, we also visited a “stone cemetery,” where the bodies of the dead are placed in niches carved in a dramatic cliff and represented by carved effigies. Truly, it was an unforgettable day.
7/4/2024
Read
National Geographic Orion
Satonda
This morning, we woke to high winds and a considerable swell from the south. As ever, Expedition Leader Lucho ventured to find us more sheltered water. We settled on the northern side of Satonda Island, a large crater island with a fully enclosed saltwater lake. After a successful scouting trip, we lowered the Zodiacs for a snorkelling session on the shallow reef that fringes the coastline. Those in the water were treated to sights of anemone fish, moray eels, and large schools of varying reef fish. Once snorkelling was complete, we ventured out to the island of Sumbawa for a cultural visit. Here we got to witness the fantastic dance and musical talents of the local community. We also watched a local custom which involves children attempting to climb a greased pole to reach the prizes suspended at the top. It was another great day aboard National Geographic Orion .