- KOLE Sawangan tourism village has a variety of cultural riches such as rows of Tongkonan or magnificent and wonderful customary houses
- The house is decorated with buffalo horns indicating that the owner of the house has carried out a customary ceremony of honoring the spirits of the deceased family
Kole Sawangan Village is a tourism village located in Malimbong Balepe’ Subdistrict, Tana Toraja District, South Sulawesi. The village, which is located at the foot of Mount Sado’ko, is about 45 minutes’ drive from Toraja Airport.
Tourist attraction
Like the Tanah Toraja area in general, the tourism village of Kole Sawangan also has a variety of cultural treasures below that draw the attention of travelers to make a visit.
First, rows of beautiful and magnificent Tongkonan or traditional houses of the Toraja people. Tongkonan is a traditional Toraja stilt house that is rectangular in shape. Uniquely, at Kole Sawangan Village, tourists can see one of the oldest Tongkonans. It is said that the stone-roofed building was built in 1200. Then in 1939, the Tongkonan burned down and was only restored 7 years later.
Second, Tongkonan traditional houses play an important role as a place to live and a venue for families to carry out ceremonies related to the belief system and social activities. Front side of the Tongkonan is decorated with rows of buffalo horns. They indicate that the owner of the house has performed a rambu solo ceremony–a funeral ceremony or traditional party as a final tribute to the deceased.
Third, Tourists will be treated to a variety of weaving and beading crafts made by local women. This village is also known as one of the centers for craft and creative economy. Other handicraft products on offer here are woven bamboo such as baskets, trays, bags, and other household utensils.
Fourth, Saluliang stone tomb–is one of the oldest stone graves in Toraja, made around 1215 and is still in use today. The large stones lined up according to the contours of the land perforated and carved in such a way as to make graves.
Fifth, Pa’gellu dance: a joyous dance usually performed at traditional Toraja ceremonies. In Toraja language, Pa’gellu or ma’gellu means dancing with joy while swaying gracefully and waddling.
