NOTETO USERS This reproduction is the best copy available. Ethnoarchaeology of Torajan Feasts Rodd L. Adams B.A. University of Oregon, 1995 A THESIS SUBMIT'ED iN PARTIAL EULmLLMENT OF THE REQUlREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the Department of Archaeology O Ronaid L. Adams 2001 Simon Fraser University June, 2001 Ai1 rîghts reserved. This work may not be cepraduced in whole or in part, by pbotocopy or other means, without permission of the author. uisitions and Acquiaitii el 9.BI iographic Serv'ices senriees bibliographiques The auîhor has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exciusive licence ailowing the exclusive permettant B la National Liiof Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, 108% distrie or sell reproduira, prêter, disûiiuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. ia fome de microfiche/film, de reproâuction sia papier ou sur fonnat électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette @se. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced withoui the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son pemiission. autorisation. ..- Ill Abstract Feasting is a topic that has become of interest to archaeologists particularly due to the implications it bas for a vatiety of issues related to the development of complex societies. This thesis examines the subject of feasting in Tana Toraja, Indonesia with three primary concerns: 1) to idente what practical social, political, and economic benefits individuals and groups can accrue through invesûnent in the feasting system; 2) to identifl what practical function these feasts appear to have for the society at large and how this differs between societies with contrasting socio-political contexts; and 3) to identifjt the matenai manifestations associated with feasting behavior in order to determine whether or not this behavior can be identiti4 archaeologically. In 2000, household heads were interview4 regarding household economics and feasting behavior in the Simbuang and Sa'dan areas of Tana Toraja. In addition, household material culture associated with feasting in Simbuang was inventoned. Observations were also made at traditional Torajan fiineral feasts, house ceremonies, and weddings held bughout Tana Toraja, The levels of ûaditional socio-plitical complexity varied between Sa'dan and Simbuang and the feasts and feasting behavior present in the two areas were compared. Cornparisons were also made with feasts and feasting behavior of the Akha of northem Thailand. The main purpose of the cornparisons was to detennine how and why the practical fiinction of feasting cliffers in societies with contrasting degrees of socio- politicai complexity. As a result of the survey of households and feasts and the cornparisons of feasts and feasting behavior, it has been found that there are indeed practical benefits for individuals and groups derived from participation in the feasting system. These benefits appear to be relatai to the larger socio-political contexts of the society and the practical hction of these feasts appears to differ between societies with varying levels of sacio- political complexity. The malysis of material culture relatai to these feasts has shown that ownership of feasting materiai culture reflects, to some degree, the amount of feasting households are engaged in and shows the potentiai of identifLing feasting behavior archaeologically. Acknowledgements There are many individuais who conûibuted to this work in one way or another. First, it is appropriate to express a debt of gratitude to the members of the supervisory cornmittee: Dr. Brian Hayden, Dr. Richard Shutler Jr., and Dr. Michael Howard. The cornmeats and suggestions of Dr. Shutler and Dr. Howard were very helpful at the later stages of writhg. Of course, noue of this would have been possible without Dr. Hayden. As my senior supervisor, Dr. Hayden's constructive comments, suggestions, and guidance at every stage in the course of producing this work were invaluable not only with regards to this thesis, but my professionai development as well. ln addition, funding for the travel to and expenses in Indonesia were provided by a gant hmthe Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada obtained by Dr. Hayden. Among the many Torajans to whom 1am indebted, 1 am particularly gratefùl for the assistance of Agusthinus Gaiugu and Stanislaus Sandarupa. Agusthinus Galugu's relatives and contacts in Tana Toraja, his immense knowledge of his own cultural traditions, and his understanding and interest in what 1was trying to accomplish were extremely beneficial in the collection of data in Tana Toraja. 1am also very fortunate to have been able to work with Stanislaus Sandanipa. Stanislaus' knowledge of his own cultural traditions, his training as an anthropologist, and his willingness to participate in the data collection made him invaluable. In addition, his help with logistical matters in Makassar, Sulawesi is greatly appreciated. Others who deserve thanks include the Kepaia Desa of Pongbembe' for his hospitality, Ne' Boyong for his hospitality and willingness to provide a wealth of vaiuable information regarding ban,Dr. Radi Gani, the Rector of Hasanuddin University, and his staff for sponsoring me, Tana Toraja's resident Scotsman for his thoughthi insights, and aii of the Torajan people who cooperated in the collection of data without which this study would not be possiile. Finally, I would like to thank my wife and daughter for theu patience and support through the long hours that were required to complete this thesis. Table of Contents Page.. Approval Page ........................................................................ u... Abstract ................................................................................ 111 Acknowledgements .................................................................. iv... List of Figures ........................................................................ viii List of Tables ......................................................................... ix Chaptet 1. Introduction ........................................................................ 1 Pmblem Statement*......................................................... 1 Theoretical Justification .................................................... 1 Research Location ........................................................... 3 Methodotogy................................................................. 4 II .Tana Toraja: Grnetal Background ............................................. 7 Geographic Context .........................................................7 Prehistory ..................................................................... 8 History ........................................................................ 14 Economy ............................................. 15 Traditional Sociopoliticai ûrganization ................................. 20 The Classes......................................................... 20 The Household ...................................................... 25 The Tongkonan..................................................... 26 The Household Cluster (tondok)................................. 30 The Saroan .......................................................... 35 Lembang. (township or subdisûict)............................. -43 District............................................................... 45 Summary ..................................................................... 48 Iü . Kanan Feasts Simbuaug .................................................................... 55 Kanan ........................................................................ 56 Feasting Foods .............................................................. 62 Kanan Feasts ................................................................ 63 House Feasts ........................................................ 66 Ma 'Pa 'pn......................................................... -66 Mang Papa Banua ................................................. 66 Ma .burake ' sang hnua .......................................... 68 Rice Feasts (Ma' alukpare 3 ...................................... 70 Manuk upa ............................................................ 70 Mangambo .......................................................... 70 Ma' belungpare or me sun ....................................... 70 Me sur .............................................................. -71 Other Agricultural Feasts .......................................... 71 Ma .tuyu dale '..*...............*.*................*...... ,... .-71 Curing Feasîs ....................................................... 71 Ma ' mmomng..................................................... 71 List of Figures Figure Page 2.1 :Map of Indonesia.............................................................. 49 2.2. Map of Sulawesi............................................................. 50 2.3.Map of Tana Toraja............................................................ 51 2.4. Bu10 Geneaology ............................................................... 52 2.5. Tongbnan..................................................................... 53 2.6. CaMngs on a Noble Tonghnan............................................. 53 2.7.