Ma’nene: When Death is Not The End

As a country with numerous ethnicity and culture, there are various festivals celebrated in Indonesia and one of the most unique that can’t be found anywhere else in the world is the Ma’nene ceremony.

  Held every three years by the Toraja community in Rinding Allo district, North Toraja. Ma’nene is the ceremony to clean and change the clothing of deceased family members.

  According to Lempo Poton resident, Jonathan Sambara, 38, Ma’nene, which means visiting the grave in the Torajan languange, starts with a meeting with the village chief and residents to set a suitable date, usually after the rice harvest season.

The atmosphere in the village of Lempo Poton, Rinding Allo, North Toraja

The ceremony starts with the opening of the coffin after it was taken out of the grave before the body, which has been preserved, is dried using fine brushes.

  “The body is dried for a whole day to ensure it is in ‘fresh’ and clean condition before it is given a new set of clothes that were specially bought for the ceremony,” said Sambara.

  He said for the Toraja people, a funeral, cost more than a wedding as they consider it more important for the community.

The coffin was taken out from the grave after three years during the Ma’nene ceremony

Family members clean coffins from dust before it been taken out.

The process of arrangement and counting the coffins after being removed from the grave

The coffin was taken out from the grave after three years during the Ma’nene ceremony

The process of arrangement and counting the coffins after being removed from the grave

 

The coffin is removed from the pit to be dried before wearing a new outfit

Family enjoy ‘Ba’Piong’, a food from smoky bamboo during the Ma’nene ceremony

“The more financially secure a family, the more it would cost because they also had to sacrifice cows and pigs for a feast for the villagers,” said Sambara.

  For Lempo Poton village chief, Ruben Limbu, the 1,066 villagers, the majority of whom are farmers and Christian Protestants, still organise the ceremony because they still holds to the customs and practices of their ancestors, who previously practice the Aluk To Dolo religion.

Wife, Ludiah limbong wipe her late husband head, Daniel Seba Sambara after coffin well opened

Grand daughters take the opportunity to take a selfie with the body 

The body was sunbath and cleaned using a soft brush

A man holds a portrait of one of his deceased family members

Villagers involved in cockfighting games as a festival gathering in conjunction with the Ma’nene ceremony

After sunbathing, the body is restored in the grave for a family visits on the next day

Family members cleared the bodies using a soft brush

“The difference now is that we organise the Ma’nene ceremony only as a custom by opening the grave and cleaning the body without the worship ritual like our ancestors,” he said.

  For Ludiah Limbong, the wife of the late Daniel Sambara, the ceremony is like a reunion with her husband after a three years separation and the happiness can be clearly seen on her face during the ceremony.

  “This is a day that I have been waiting for when I can meet my husband again and all family members returned to gather and meet with Daniel.”

  The ceremony ends with the whole community gathering for a feast which is contributed by the family members who conducted the Ma’nene ceremony.

Family members clean and change new clothes to deceased family members

The portrait of late Daniel Seba Sambara is placed next to his grave

Yohanis Kombok Sambara smoothed her father’s body, Peter Sampe Sambara

The son, Jonatan Sambara, took his father around the grave to be sunned and cleaned

The corpses issued with new clothes after three year

 Family members kissed and hold hands of their loved one

Family having rest and chattering during the Ma’nene ceremony

They talked and wipes their deceased family members

The body is tied to dried and cleaned in the Ma’nene ceremony

Family members give flowers to a corpse as a gift during the Ma’nene ceremony

The wife, Ludiah limbong hugged the body of his late husband, Daniel Seba Sambara before they putting back his body in the grave.

The grave where the corpse was restored after being cleaned and left opened until the last day of the Ma’nene ceremony.

Yadnya Kasada : A journey to the God of Mountain

Yadnya Kasada is the main festival of the Tenggerese people and lasts about a month. On the 14th day of the Kasada, the Tenggerese make the journey to Mount Bromo and make offerings of rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers and livestock by throwing them into the volcano’s caldera. These offerings are given to seek the blessings from the deity of Mount Bromo, Hyang Widi Wasa, the God of the mountain.

The origin of this ritual stems from the ancient legend of Mount Bromo, about a princess named Roro Anteng and her husband called Joko Seger. After many years of marriage, the couple remained childless. They therefore meditated atop Mount Bromo, beseeching the mountain gods for assistance. The gods granted them 24 children, with the condition that the 25th child must be thrown into the volcano as human sacrifice. The tradition of throwing sacrifices into the volcano to appease these ancient deities continues until today.

At midnight, the procession of a large variety of offerings walked to the Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten at the sea of sands right at the foot of Mount Bromo. The Dukun (Shamans), elders, Tenggerese as well as the entire Tengger community gathered to pray to God for peace, safety, good fortune, and prosperity. Nearing the first rays of dawn, all offerings were carried up to the edge of Mount Bromo’s crater, and prepared to be thrown into the deep fiery cauldron. NSTP/ADI SAFRI

A  view of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.

‘Sesajen’ or an offerings of fruits and vegetables to seek blessings from the deity of Mount Bromo, Hyang Widi Wasa, the God of the mountain at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman prepares Sesajen or an offerings of fruits and vegetables to seek blessings from the deity of Mount Bromo, Hyang Widi Wasa, the God of the mountain at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman praying for worshipers at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten as part of the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

Head of an Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman praying for worshipers at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten as part of the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman praying for worshipers at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten as part of the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshiper heat their body from cold weather condition before heading to the crater of mount Bromo during Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman smokes before continue a pray at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman praying for worshipers at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten as part of the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu shaman praying for worshipers at Pura (Temple) Luhur Poten as part of the Tenggerese Hindu Yadnya Kasada festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries offerings and make a fire ritual during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries a goat as an offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper carries offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival as they head to the crater of Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, IndonesiaA fruit, vegetables, livestock, flowers and rice are been prepared before throwed into the crater of Mount Bromo as an offerings during the Yadnya Kasada Festival

A general view of worshippers gathering at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, IndonesiaAn Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper throws a chicken as an offering towards the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

A Hindu worshippers pray at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper throws a money as an offering towards the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian Tenggerese Hindu worshipper throws a goat as an offering towards the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian villagers wait for an offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian villagers use nets as to catch a money thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian villagers collect his catch thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

A general view of worshippers gathering at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian villagers use nets as they wait for an offerings thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

A Hindu worshippers pray at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

An Indonesian villagers collect his catch thrown by Hindu worshippers at the crater of Mount Bromo during the Yadnya Kasada Festival in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia

Thaipusam 2015

This year I came back for Thaipusam after 2 years ago. It’s a bit awkward for a first minute. Then it slowly better feeling. Below are some my pictures during Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves.

GOMBAK 03 February 2015. A Hindu devotee takes a ritual shower before he starts his pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves Temple during Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month

GOMBAK 03 February 2015. A Hindu devotee performs in a trance during a pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves Temple during Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month.

GOMBAK 03 February 2015. Hindu devotee carrying a pot as participates in Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month.

GOMBAK 03 February 2015. A Hindu devotee takes a ritual perform before he starts his pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves Temple during Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month.

GOMBAK 03 February 2015. A Hindu devotee performs in a trance during a pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves Temple during Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month.

GOMBAK 03 February 2015. A Hindu devotee takes a ritual shower before he starts his pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves Temple during Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month

Tin Mining on HM August 9, 2014

the dying tin city on Sunday Times Oct 12,2014

Nuzul Quran

Tahfiz Students read the Quran during the coming of Nuzul Al-Quran (the revelation of the Quran) during Ramadan at Maahad Academy in Kuala Lumpur July 15, 2014. NSTP/Adi Safri

 

Tahfiz Students trying to memorize the Quran during the coming of Nuzul Al-Quran (the revelation of the Quran) during Ramadan at Maahad Academy in Kuala Lumpur July 15, 2014. NSTP/Adi Safri

 

Tahfiz Students read the Quran during the coming of Nuzul Al-Quran (the revelation of the Quran) during Ramadan at Maahad Academy in Kuala Lumpur July 15, 2014. NSTP/Adi Safri

 

Tahfiz Students read the Quran during the coming of Nuzul Al-Quran (the revelation of the Quran) during Ramadan at Maahad Academy in Kuala Lumpur July 15, 2014. NSTP/Adi Safri

 

Tahfiz Students read the Quran during the coming of Nuzul Al-Quran (the revelation of the Quran) during Ramadan at Maahad Academy in Kuala Lumpur July 15, 2014. NSTP/Adi Safri

Tearsheet

Ramadan

A man recite the Quran in a mosque during the coming month of Ramadan at Kuala Lumpur July 3, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

A man recite the Quran in a mosque during the coming month of Ramadan at Kuala Lumpur July 3, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

 

Mosque officials distributing food to people for breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan at a mosque, Kuala Lumpur July 3, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

A muslim women recite the Quran in a mosque during the coming month of Ramadan at Kuala Lumpur July 5, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

Muslims recite the Quran in a mosque during the coming month of Ramadan at Kuala Lumpur July 5, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

 

Muslims prayers in a mosque during the coming month of Ramadan at Kuala Lumpur July 5, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

A muslim women recite the Quran in a mosque during the coming month of Ramadan at Kuala Lumpur July 5, 2014. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Muslim worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadith.

Traditional Tin Mining

 

 

 

 Dabo Singkep is an island of 1602 islands that comprise the entire Riau archipelago. The island was known as Tin City where the island is among the largest tin producer in Indonesia since 1812. During 1992, tin mining was stopped as a result of reduced market demand thus resulting in market prices plummeted. Nevertheless, the villagers still do the traditional tin mining activities. As early as 6am they went to the Batu Berdaun beach with cycling. An equipment such as trays and filters used for mining activities. These activities are done by people who mostly worked as a fisherman as a side job. According to one of tin miner, Shahri Mukhtar, 43, every day he and his colleagues could produce about 1 kg tin according to weather conditions and environment. Once the activities is finished, the tin will be dried and sold to market with 125 thousand rupiah a kilogram.

Workers activities at the Batu Berdaun beach.

Tin Miner, Rugayah Karim, 45 are sieving and sorting the tin from sand and mud.

Workers activities at the Batu Berdaun beach

Workers activities at the Batu Berdaun beach

Workers activities at the Batu Berdaun beach

Workers activities at the Batu Berdaun beach

Tin miner, Mukhtar Shahri 43, shows obtained tin in Batu Berdaun beach.

Workers activities at the Batu Berdaun beach

VESAK

PETALING JAYA 13 MAY 2014. A devotee recites a prayer during a Vesak Day at Wat Chetawan temple. Vesak falls on 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar.

PETALING JAYA 13 MAY 2014. A devotee recites a prayer during a Vesak Day at Wat Chetawan temple. Vesak falls on 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar.

PETALING JAYA 13 MAY 2014. A devotee recites a prayer during a Vesak Day at Wat Chetawan temple. Vesak falls on 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar.

PETALING JAYA 13 MAY 2014. A devotee recites a prayer during a Vesak Day at Wat Chetawan temple. Vesak falls on 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar.

  PETALING JAYA 13 MAY 2014. A devotee recites a prayer during a Vesak Day at Wat Chetawan temple. Vesak falls on 15th day in the 4th month of Chinese lunar calendar.