Toraja Funeral

[jkirch]

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.

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[BlancheSplanchnik]

1. That was wonderful!!

Thank you!!!

[jkirch]

2. Thanks, Blanche.

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

[BlancheSplanchnik]

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

[MuseRider]

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.

[jkirch]

5. I appreciate your watching and commenting.

[mopinko]

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.

[jkirch]

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!

[mopinko]

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.

[lunatica]

8. That's fabulous.

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

[jkirch]

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.

[littlemissmartypants]

11. Kicked and recommended. Thanks.

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

❤ lmsp

[lunatica]

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.

[jkirch]

13. Thank you.

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

[lunatica]

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.

[jkirch]

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:

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[lunatica]

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.