Need good English translator in Tanah Toraja

For funerals in the end of August anywhere, you can check personally with King Yama of Hades.

Hi,

If I was you I would email Dodo the Penman of Sulawesi- a very famous guide whom I met for the first time in November 2006 ( we had been in email contact for 2 yrs previously.) Dodo speaks very good english and will probably know.
However, quite a few of the guides up there in Tana Toraja speak good English anyway.
I had no problems last year and I do not speak Bahasa Indonesia.
Dodo's email is donow77@hotmail.com
Here is a small website about Short Description of URL ContentDODO by onbe of his happy traveller clients.
Dodo may be able to let you know through one of his good guide friends Yatim about funerals for that time, but it may be too early.
Contrary to what Poster #1 said, most families keep their dead member of the family in the house with them for up to one year whilst they raise the money for the elaborate funeral and also to organise for all the family members to be together at the one time.
In some families many of the members are scattered throughout the world and they need to coordinate a suitable time for everyone to come home.
I went to a funeral and it was amazing, got the stand in the main house on the balcony and look down on all the proceedings.
I also got to see all the women getting dressed in their beautiful clothing and having their make-up applied- such an experience for me who works in the world of fashion.
Pamela.

Thanks Pamela as always!! You are a never ending resource on travel in Indonesia!!

Do you want an English speaking guide or do you really need a translator (eg for official documents)? I was in Tanahtoraja at the begining of this year and found my primitive Indonesian enough to get by on. When yu get there you will find numberous English-speaking guides who will offer your their services to take you to the funerals and elsewhere. The location of the funerals is usually a closely held secret by the guides.

From memory the prices were about (in IDR) 50K for the guide plus 50K for a motorbike tranpsort or 200K for a car, per day. (The roads are back breaking and if you are more than one person, a car is worth while.) For other things, eg one day treking or visiting tau-tau, your existing Indonesian may be enough (plus a guide book). Bemos to and from the mountains are irregular. A guide book is a help though there is a reasonable tourist bureau a km or so out of town.

There were several funerals while I was there for two weeks in Janurary and a marriage ceremony. August and September are about the peak months (local summer holidays). As pPamela said they are planned well into the future. The second time I went to TT the hotel owner invited me back for his father-in-law's ceremony (I have been told not to say funeral, now I remember) which was well over a year away. Remember too the ceremonies last up to a week. The first day is the receprion of the guests. You should take presents (beer, cigarettes, sweets -- I am happy about beer but not the others but there is not much option, money for weddings). You would normally be shown to a good vantage place and given some food and drink (coffee or tuak).

Paul

Hi !

as mentioned in a previous thread, I'm looking for other people to share a guide during end of august and visit Tanah Toraja (4 days)
If you are interested contact me on MP.

Emmanuel

My apologies for being such an ignoramus about local customs

I think there will be a lot of tourists at that time -- you will probably be able to find like minded people at your hotel to share a guide and transport to the ceremonies. Hiring a guide on a (backbreaking) bike (it is the road rather than the bike) is affordable for one person. There may be organised tours. Too many people may not fit in a car (driver and guide already make two -- sometimes the driver may be a registered guide).

With a map (from the tourist bureau or hotel) and some Indonesian you could use bemos to go to other places. Bemo drivers will know enough English to ask for the fare and let you out where you want to go.

Paul

It looks like the link that Pamela posted above didn't come through. It is here- the guide is Daud Rapa, who is fantastic! Enjoy~

http://www.daudtoraja.com/

Awindon,
You are correct- that website that was attached to a traveller's site has disappeared now. However, it was not Daud Rapa, because he did not have a website in July 2007. The website was about Dodo the guy who lives in Makassar.
Yes, I agree Daud is fantastic.
Pamela