Tongkonan with Pa’Ulu Karua Wooden Painting

Tongkonan, depicted in the top carving, is the traditional house of the Toraja people in South Sulawesi. Its distinctive roof, resembling an inverted boat, is linked to the legend of their ancestors arriving by sea. The Pa’ Ulu Karua carving at the bottom symbolizes the hope that wisdom and knowledge will emerge within the family. The house is adorned with four symbolic colors—black for death, red for life, yellow for divine blessings, and white for purity—reflecting the deep beliefs and traditions of the Torajan people.

Toraja, circa 1970
Material: Woodcarving and Paint
Dimension: 39 x 18,5 x 1 cm