INDONESIA 
​Sulawesi
I first travelled to Indonesia in the 2000's and visited four islands -- Bali, Sulawesi, Sumba, and Java.
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Inhabiting the vast, rugged landscape of the South Sulawesi highlands are the Toraja...*

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Buffaloes are a status symbol for the Toraja, and are of paramount importance in various religious ceremonies.*

It is the meeting place for family gatherings, and may not be bought or sold.*

Some believe the roof represents the horns of a buffalo; others suggest it represents the bow and stern of a boat.*
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​With its vibrant tribal culture and stunning scenery the fascinating region of Tana Toraja is rightly a mecca for travelers. Visually its allure is immediate, with villages of elaborately painted houses with boat-shaped roofs, and towering terraces of emerald green rice paddies, all of which is overseen by a protective necklace of jagged jungle-clad hills.

Prior to the arrival of Christanity, the Toraja believed in many gods, but worshipped Puang Matua as the special god of their family, clan or tribe.*

The buffalo has traditionally been a symbol of wealth and power...*
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The Toraja believe that you can take possession with you in the afterlife, and the dead generally go well-equipped to their graves.*​

Christianity undermined some traditional Torajan beliefs, but the ceremonies are still a vital part of life.*
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One of the most noticeable aspects about Tana Toraja is the size and grandeur of traditional houses.*
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The towering roof, rearing up at either end, is the most striking aspect of a tongkonan.*

The more buffalo horns visible, the higher the household's status.*
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Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of approximately 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European sources. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia, archipelago in Southeast Asia, has vast areas of wilderness. The country has abundant natural resources, yet poverty remains widespread.
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* These captions are from Indonesia -- Lonely Planet's travel guide.