TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tana Toraja is the land of heavenly kings. Its green forests, paddy fields, and highlands in the northern South Sulawesi are too good to be resisted. Makale and Rantepao extend on the lower part of Tana Toraja highland, while Batutumonga and Mount Sesean offer beautiful scenery for hikers or explorers.

A day would not be enough to understand Tana Toraja. But it would be enough for they who want to explore new places to be acquainted with the place.

The journey began early in the morning by visiting Kete Kese—an old village in Kesu District, Rantepao—that, according to some people, is 400 years old.

Kudu—a native of the old village—believes that the village is more than 700 hundred years old. "That is Kesu (a traditional house in Tana Toraja or locally known as Tongkonan Puang Ri Kesu). The house is called Kesu," Kudu said pointing one of the row houses in Kete Kesu Village.

According to Kudu, Kesu was located on top of the karst hill behind the village. After the Dutch came to the highland, Kesu was relocated to its current location.

Of six Tongkonan that face 12 alang (granary) in the village, Kesu seemed to be the oldest. The rooftop is made of bamboo that, according to Kudu, is usually replaced after 40 years.

The Tongkonan are no longer used as places to stay. But families who own the houses lived in the village in houses and souvenir shops near the Torajan traditional houses.

ANTARA | VIRNA PUSPA SETYORINI | MARYATI