The discourse of souls in Tana Toraja (Indonesia): indigenous notions and Christian conceptions

摘要: In Insular Southeast Asia, indigenous religions are oriented more towards practice than philosophy. Geertz's (1973:177) observations concerning religion in Bali generally hold true for other autochthonous of the Indonesian archipelago: "Beyond a minimal level there is almost no interest doctrine... The stress on orthopraxy, not orthodoxy." Accordingly, discussions notions soul insular Asia rarely center philosophical doctrine. Rather, local practitioners tend to emphasize ritual obligations souls at various points time, enumerating requisite rites aid their afterlife journeys (cf. Fox 1973; Weinstock 1987). This essay broadly concerned with relationship between such amorphous practice-centered conceptions and subsequently-introduced Christian metaphysical propositions. Recently, Indonesianists studying processes relgious transformation have prompted us recognize dynamic interplay world religions, national politics, Atkinson 1983; Kipp Rodgers (1983), instance, has elegantly demonstrated how construction Central Sulawesi Wana rooted dialogue both nationalist civil religion. similar vein, Hoskins (1987) illustrates redefinition Sumbanese spirit worship as "religion" resulted from exposure doctrine church government. On Sumba, what was once system practices regulations became transformed into beliefs. Taking starting point, this examines among Sa'dan Toraja upland Sulawesi. While give attention influence politics belief systems, my major focus paper side dialogue. That is, I am particularly ways which Torajans incorporate reformulate soul. Ranger (1987:183) stressed ironic aspect African Christianity, noting that dialectic Christianity evolves confound missionary expectations. examine how, Torajans, only coexist, but intermingle times compete. begins discussion Torajan conception One should note, however, several factors encouraged formal elaboration These include doctrine-centered government's 1969 recognition Aluk dolo an official religion, queries anthropologists tourists visiting highlands. After examining soul, contrast these Dutch Reformed Church's vision final section addresses lay Torajans' approach concept, suggests discernable pattern those ideas about persist. ETHNOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND people primarily wet-rice farmers inhabiting mountaninous Tana Regency province South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Most speak Tae' Toraja, Austronesian language closely related languages (Mills 1975), lingua franca Bahasa multi-ethnic nation 185 million people, minority group numbering approximately 350,000. society hierarchically organized basis age, descent, occupation, wealth. Traditionally were three basic ranks: aristocracy (to parengnge'); commoners buda, sama); serfs or slaves (kaunan). …