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Fri Jun 19, 2020, 07:57 AM

Toraja Funeral

Here's my video of an adventure I had in Tana Toraja, Indonesia nearly 30 years ago. It's a look at the unique traditional funeral practices of the Torajan People. It was the most entertaining funeral I have ever attended.

Thanks for watching.

[link:&t=27s|

16 replies, 1983 views

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Arrow 16 replies Author Time Post
Reply Toraja Funeral (Original post)
jkirch Jun 2020 OP
BlancheSplanchnik Jun 2020 #1
jkirch Jun 2020 #2
BlancheSplanchnik Jun 2020 #3
MuseRider Jun 2020 #4
jkirch Jun 2020 #5
mopinko Jun 2020 #6
jkirch Jun 2020 #7
mopinko Jun 2020 #10
lunatica Jun 2020 #8
jkirch Jun 2020 #9
littlemissmartypants Aug 2020 #11
lunatica Aug 2020 #12
jkirch Sep 2020 #13
lunatica Sep 2020 #14
jkirch Sep 2020 #15
lunatica Sep 2020 #16

Response to jkirch (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 08:20 AM

1. That was wonderful!!

Thank you!!!

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Response to BlancheSplanchnik (Reply #1)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 08:46 AM

2. Thanks, Blanche.

It's my job in retirement to finally edit all of my video adventures. I appreciate your watching.

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Response to jkirch (Reply #2)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 08:54 AM

3. It was professional level, hope you post more!

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Response to jkirch (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 09:59 AM

4. That was wonderful!

I hope you post this in GD where others might see it more easily.

Thank you for showing this, you did a wonderful job.

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Response to MuseRider (Reply #4)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 11:29 AM

5. I appreciate your watching and commenting.

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Response to jkirch (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 12:46 PM

6. dang. and here all i wanted was a second line parade, and

to have my ashes scattered on my farm.
shit.
now i have to rethink everything.

thank you. f'ing amazing.
esp the babies in the trees.

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Response to mopinko (Reply #6)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 02:53 PM

7. Thanks.

The second line is pretty exotic here in Pittsburgh. It's all relative. I appreciate your remarks and I'm glad you liked the dead babies in trees!

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Response to jkirch (Reply #7)

Sat Jun 20, 2020, 08:14 PM

10. yeah. the whole thing is amazing.

i was a hospice volunteer for 5 years, till i got locked out by the plague.
death and i are old friends.

such a beautiful way to deal w that.

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Response to jkirch (Original post)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 04:04 PM

8. That's fabulous.

Are you the narrator and are you an anthropologist? You’re certainly an excellent storyteller!

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Response to lunatica (Reply #8)

Fri Jun 19, 2020, 05:32 PM

9. That's...

...nice of you to say. I did narrate it, but I had to do lot's of takes. I'm not an anthropologist, I'm a retired video editor.
I'm very glad you enjoyed it and appreciate your telling me about it.

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Response to jkirch (Original post)

Sat Aug 15, 2020, 11:03 AM

11. Kicked and recommended. Thanks.

I hope you consider doing a transcript of the film, if you haven't already done so.

❤ lmsp

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Response to jkirch (Original post)

Fri Aug 21, 2020, 01:35 PM

12. Fascinating anthropological work!

You did a great job of showing the process of the customs practiced that have their roots in the ancient past. I’m struck by the thought that the things that bind humans together for centuries is their shared customs and rituals. For the Toraja the funeral ritual is obviously an integrated and smooth life experience that involves everyone in the village. They probably have similar ritualistic events for all life’s events along the way. Births, weddings, coming of age.

Our rituals could be also seen as anthropological rituals just as much by any outsider not practicing such rituals.

You did a terrific job filming and narrating the Toraja people and their funerary customs. I hope the nearby hotel and tourist influx were kept at bay. But you caught something precious and important in a respectful and objective way. It also works with your sister in the mix because it shows the open and welcoming generosity of these people as well as her acceptance of a foreign custom. Thanks for posting this video.

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Response to lunatica (Reply #12)

Tue Sep 1, 2020, 10:54 AM

13. Thank you.

Thanks for your very kind remarks. Sorry it took me so long to see your reply.

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Response to jkirch (Reply #13)

Tue Sep 1, 2020, 02:27 PM

14. You could probably donate a copy to

an anthropological research department in a university if you’re so inclined. I think it's definitely that good. That way of life may be long gone by now, or even if the Toraja culture is still intact, I think your video would be appreciated by researchers. Have you tried contacting the Director or Chair of any department of Anthropology? If you’re interested maybe you can start with the department of anthropology in UC Berkeley.

It would be nice to honor the Toraja culture.

Anyway, that’s what I think about your work.

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Response to lunatica (Reply #14)

Tue Sep 1, 2020, 03:01 PM

15. Thank you.

I'll keep that in mind, although I don't think it's scholarly enough for such an esteemed institution. Here's my latest one. An entirely different thing: &t=2s

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Response to jkirch (Reply #15)

Tue Sep 1, 2020, 03:27 PM

16. Hahahahaha haha!

That’s great! It really made me laugh, so thanks for this!

Please start a new thread with it. Try doing it in the DU lounge. People will love it! Make sure everyone knows you made the video.

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