Change and Indonesia’s rituals: A case study of the past and present ‘Rambu Solo’ ritual at north Makale Tana Toraja, Sulawesi

Changes experienced in the “Rambu Solo” ritual have led to multiple complications. This study examined how those ritual changes took place in North Makale, Tana Toraja, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Employing qualitative method, primary data were gathered from field observation and in-depth interviews and secondary information from written documents of past Toraja culture’s researchers. The findings indicated that alterations in the significance of the “Rambu Solo”ritual created three kinds of behavioural motives; one, social status motives that pointed to prestige demonstrating, second. the other economic motives, and third, the cultural motives. The findings suggested that religious figures, educational board and authorities educate the Toraja’s community to abandon the multiple behavioural motives, in particular, the social status display motives, so as to restore and preserve the original authenticity of the ritual.