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Reunion After Death

16 images Created 11 Oct 2017

Ma'nene or cleaning of the corpse is a tradition that takes place in Toraja, Indonesia in the month of August after harvest.  During this ritual, the bodies of the dead family members are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed, and dressed.  Although most Torajans today are Christian, this practice is rooted in animism from over a hundred years ago is still practiced today as an opportunity for the living to reunite, to touch and see, to help overcome grief, and to reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.

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  • Tulak (55) with her father, Dongga, who died in 2006 at age 78. She came from Malaysia and she was happy to see him.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_20.jpg
  • Abigael Randa (37) and her mother, Lince Bunga, who died in 2015 at age 58. This is the first time Lince's body was taken out since her death.  It is customary not to visibly cry during Ma'nene and Abigael went to the back to shed tears. <br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_105.JPG
  • Ludia Pindan (60) with her husband, Markus Tombang, who died in 2016 at age 64.  They were married for over 43 years.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_26.JPG
  • Martin with his wife, Yohana Liding, who passed away in 1997.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_57.JPG
  • Jimmi Toding (8) and his unnamed brother who died in 2012, 3 days after birth.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_161.jpg
  • Lisuana Paseru family.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_317.jpg
  • Yacob Toban (60) with his brother, Pong Songga, who died over 30 years ago at age 70.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_165.JPG
  • Yohanis Rande (54) with his parents, father, Sulu Bapa who passed away in 1999 at age 92, and his mother Datu Arrang, who died in 1981 at age 72.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_252.jpg
  • Deborah Cesan with her husband, Tandi Kadida, who passed away in 2012 at age 65.  They were married for 47 years.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_101.JPG
  • Lamba who died 10 years ago at age 80 with his family.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_208.JPG
  • A family member poses for a portrait after adding a new layer of fabric to wrap the remains of a relative in Barrupu.  In this district of Toraja, the body is not buried but placed in a hole carved into a cliff. <br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_118.JPG
  • Martha Limbong, who passed away in 2015 at age 72, and her family<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_174.JPG
  • Nenek Lai' Tiku who passed on a few months ago is seen in a seated position in her home, which signifies her high caste in the social ladder. The matriarch of her family, Nenek Lai' Tiku passed away at age 102, she is survived by 10 children, 49 grandchildren, and 162 great-grandchildren.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_80.JPG
  • Twin sisters, Naomi and Ruth Sambara (39), with their father, Anton Sambara, who died 20 years ago.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_198.JPG
  • Gusti (21) with his mother, Sarce Limbong, who died in 2015 at age 43.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_154.JPG
  • Ruslin Karaeng (30) with her daughter, Ditha, who suddenly passed away from an illness four years ago when she was just 1yr old.<br />
<br />
Ma'nene is a tradition that takes place in August after harvest where the bodies of the dead loved ones are exhumed to be cleaned, groomed and dressed. For most, it's a bittersweet moment, a chance to reunite and physically see and touch and reconnect with loved ones who had passed on.
    Toraja_240.jpg
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