Dancing with mummies: the mysterious Manene festival in Sulawesi (12 photos)

In the heart of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, every three years, an unusual festival called Manene takes place. This is not just a remembrance of the dead, but a colorful, meaningful celebration that allows the living to reunite with their ancestors.





What is the essence of this unique tradition?

Updating your wardrobe for the afterlife



Every three years, families of the Toraja, the indigenous people of Sulawesi, remove their mummified relatives from their graves. The clothes they wore during burial have long since fallen into disrepair, so they are replaced with new ones with trepidation and respect.

Parade with mummified ancestors



The mummies, dressed in festive clothes, not only change clothes, but also become part of a colorful procession through the village. To the accompaniment of traditional music and dances, residents carry their ancestors, sharing joy and respect with them.

Repair and care of coffins





Not only clothing, but also the coffins in which the mummies are buried are subject to careful inspection. If the coffin is dilapidated, it is repaired or replaced with a new one. This is a tribute to our ancestors, because their peace and well-being in the afterlife is the concern of the living.

Celebration instead of mourning



A funeral in Sulawesi is not a mourning event, but rather a feast celebrating a person's transition to the spirit world. Relatives gather around a lavish table, share memories of the deceased, sing songs and dance with their withered ancestors.

The price of afterlife comfort



Manene is not a cheap pleasure. Luxurious outfits, feasts, repairs to coffins - all this requires significant expenses. Therefore, from a young age, each member of the Toraja family saves money for their own funeral.

Civilization has not touched

The unique tradition of Manene has been preserved in its original form due to the remoteness of the Toraja villages. Only in the 70s of the 20th century did civilization reach these places, allowing the original ritual to be captured in photos and videos.

Photo for memory



For Toraja, photography is not just a way to capture a moment. Photos from Manene become a valuable relic, allowing one to show off to relatives the beauty and well-groomed nature of a deceased ancestor.

Belief in the transmigration of souls

In Toraja beliefs, death is not the end, but only a transition to another world. To get there, the soul of the deceased must undergo a ritual that can last up to two weeks.

Tau-tau: Container for the Spirit





To facilitate this transition, special wooden dolls are created - Tau-tau. They are as similar as possible to the deceased and serve as a kind of “home” for their souls.

Don't leave your home



The fear of not entering the spirit world after death causes the Toraja to be homebodies. They are reluctant to leave their native village, because the Manene ritual is not just a remembrance, but a chance to reunite with their ancestors and provide them with a decent afterlife.



The Manene holiday is not just a curiosity for Westerners. This is an opportunity to look into a world where life and death are closely intertwined, where the traditions of ancestors are strictly respected, and the connection with family is above all else.