Lindo

The traditional Torajan Pa' Tumbuk woven cloth for the shirt and skirt (woodblock printed with pastel colors).⁣
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Torajan Co-ord Sets (Motif: Pa' Kala' Mata)
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We have covered in one of our posts before the Torajan names for each of the colorful beads, but there are actually more of them, one of which is the “pink” colored beads called “kalaa’.” ⁣
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Though we have never seen them in real life, the kalaa’ bead is well-documented in at least two dictionaries: “Kamus Toradja-Indonesia” by J. Tammu and Dr. H. Van der Veen (1972) and “The Complete Costume Dictionary” by Elizabeth J. Lewandowski (2011). The bead is described quite differently in each of them; while in the former the name refers to red-white beads like the fruit kalaa' (Syzygium malaccense or Malay apple/mountain apple), in the latter it refers to pink beads. (As a matter of consideration, unmixed patches of red and white will tend to look pink from afar.) ⁣
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So which dictionary describes them more accurately? ⁣
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One way to answer that is to see what the fruit kalaa’ actually looks like. While there are plenty of examples in Google, the better approach is to look at local pictures. We sifted through Torajan netizens’ posts and found that the kalaa’ fruits are actually varied in color. Some of them are red-white and others have pink-white skins. Considering that, we can’t still conclude the kalaa’ beads’ real color; it could be one of the colors, or it may as well refer to both colors, i.e. red-white and pink or pink-white. ⁣
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Picture:⁣
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Fruits Photo: Green Life by Shamus O’leary⁣
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The Tongkonan Puang Ponglabba of Sa'dan To' Barana' is already famous with its weaving activities, but perhaps not many of you know that tucked away just behind the settlement is a rippling river flowing across the expanse. The riverbank extends in perfect width for camping activities, lined with some gazebos established for this very purpose. If you are into rafting, of the scale with more fun and less thrill and challenges, that level of water sport is also available in the area. How convenient, the renowned Torajan structures, a weaving center, camping site, and pristine river, all are packed in one complex, definitely a great option for a short getaway.⁣
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Note: Visitors will be charged entry fee. The attractions are part of an ecosystem managed by members of the Tongkonan. ⁣
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