of their wives upon marriage but have to leave after a divorce.

According to the Torajan legends, their ancestors came to Tana Toraja from heaven, so they regard their land as the Land of the Heavenly Kings.

As descendents of heavenly kings, the Torajans spend years or even decades saving up funds to give their dead a “proper” burial, so that he or she could journey back to the heavens.

A burial is always a community effort as everyone combines resources to have a big do.

However, in accordance with aluk tolodo, only the upper class can splurge on a big burial ceremony.

Toraja society is divided into aristocrats and peasants.

One is born into a class and does not leave it even if one makes lots of money.

For the upper class, a funeralcan last up to nine days, with lots of festive excitement.

Apart from the mourning and weeping, one can expect music, songs, dances, poetry reading, buffalo fights and even boxing matches.

Palm wine or tuak is freely consumed and the climax is the slaughter of water buffalos and pigs.

Young boys take delight in collecting the blood from these animals using bamboo.

A burial ceremony can cost over RM100,000.

The sacrificial beast, usually a special breed of male buffalo called Saleko that the upper class prefers, can cost up to RM50,000 each.

Salekos are pinkish in colour, with blobs of black hair on their bodies.

Female animals costing only a few thousand ringgit are used by lower class.

Water buffalos are also sacrificed as the Torajans believe these can help ferry the souls to Puya, the