Ke'te' Kesu' Toraja

Kete Kesu is a traditional village located in the Sanggalangi district of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is known for its well-preserved traditional Tongkonan houses, which are unique to the Toraja people. The village is also home to a number of ancient burial sites, including cliff tombs and caves.

Kete Kesu is believed to be over 400 years old, and it is one of the oldest villages in Tana Toraja. The village is said to have been founded by a group of To Mambo, a noble family from the Toraja highlands. The To Mambo were said to have been fleeing from a war, and they settled in Kete Kesu because of its strategic location.

Kete Kesu is a living museum of Toraja culture. The village has been preserved in its original state, and the villagers continue to live in traditional Tongkonan houses and practice their traditional way of life.

One of the most striking features of Kete Kesu is the traditional Tongkonan houses. These houses are made of wood, with thatched roofs. The walls are decorated with intricate carvings depicting animals, plants, and human figures. The Tongkonan houses are not just homes; they are also symbols of the Toraja people's social status and wealth.

Another important feature of Kete Kesu is the village's burial sites. The Toraja people believe that the dead should be buried in close proximity to their living relatives. As a result, there are many burial sites located in and around the village. These burial sites include cliff tombs, caves, and stone sarcophagi.

Kete Kesu is a popular tourist destination. Visitors come to the village to see the traditional Tongkonan houses, the ancient burial sites, and to learn about Toraja culture. The village is also a popular place to stay for those who want to experience traditional Toraja hospitality.

If you are ever in Tana Toraja, be sure to visit Kete Kesu. It is a truly unique and special place.

Its a wonderful culture landmark.
If you want to see it's drone video check my IG @hrtbn

Such a great heritage in Toraja. You can see traditional house called as Tongkonan. Also you can see the traditional funeral. You can see where the corpse will be saved in a cave or resting place in a high place as a sign of respect for those who have died.
Suggest you cam here earlier, around 7 am is the best time i think, because no crowded, clear space, you can take a picture without any disturb.
Hope you like it and must visit this place.
One again, such a great heritage in Toraja

One of my fav spots in Toraja. Traditional houses, carvings, graves, shopping and so on about Toraja are here. This spot is not far from the center of Rantepao and very easy to reach. I like the shopping here because there are more kiosks compared to other spots. Taking picture with the Tongkonan houses as the background is excellent in Kete Kesu. If you want to see the making process of coffins, it is in front of the entrance.

a beautiful place to visit with family. presenting very thick cultural thing like sometimes we can see the ceremony of Torajanese people or you can just tell by the engraving on the traditional houses. we can also buy souvenirs here. great place to take pictures. quite far from Rantepao city.

the best human beings are those who preserve the culture and customs of their ancestors
I love Toraja I love Indonesia

A unique attraction of Tana Toraja, in fact the landmark. A big cemetery complex where the dead were buried and honored with local tradition. Access is very easy and the people are very friendly. Some physical fitness is required to climb the thousand steps stairs to see the vertical tombs that lies on the cliff wall. There is also a museum showing cultural heritage of the Toraja people.

nice place to visit.
gave new experience.
affordable ticket price.
better go there at noon (after lunch) to get natural lighting for best photos.
there are also some coffee shop and gift shop at Kete Kesu.

The "Ke'te' Kesu'" is a type of chant that is sung by men and is considered a sacred song. It is performed during various ceremonies, including funerals, weddings, and other important events. The song is characterized by its deep, resonant voice and the use of a traditional Toraja musical instrument known as the "sasando," a type of oboe. The lyrics of the "Ke'te' Kesu'" are often in the Toraja language and convey themes of life, death, and the afterlife.

The "Tongkonan Ke'te' Kesu'" is a specific form of the "Ke'te' Kesu'" song that is performed during the "Tongkonan" ceremony, which is a traditional Toraja funeral ceremony. The ceremony is a complex ritual that involves various stages, including the preparation of the body, the singing of the "Ke'te' Kesu'" song, and the final burial of the deceased. The "Tongkonan Ke'te' Kesu'" is sung by the men of the deceased's family and is a significant part of the ceremony, symbolizing the transition of the soul to the afterlife.

The "Ke'te' Kesu'" and the "Tongkonan Ke'te' Kesu'" are examples of the rich musical heritage of the Toraja people, showcasing the deep cultural and spiritual significance of music in their society.

One of the places you must visit in toraja. Located near the city of rantepao, it could only be reached by car or small bus due to quite narrow road and parking lot in kete kesu. It offers you the beauty and uniqueness of traditional houses called tongkonan owned by toraja people and also traditional graveyard located in rocky hill behind the houses complex. Entrance fee is 15k rupiah each person. First you will find some stores selling many unique handcrafts and shirts with affordable price. Then you will enter the complex of tongkonan. It is really nice to take picture because of its uniqueness. Each house is extinguished by the number of buffalo's horns, the bigger the number of horn, the higher the social degree of the owner. After enjoying tongkonan, you can continue to enter the graveyard area by walking 1 minute only. It is not actually as many grave as you will find in londa.

Besides, Several things should be improved in kete kesu. The access road from the main road must be widened in order big busses could reach kete kesu and avoiding traffic jam especially in weekend, the road size is really not proper for tourism object. The parking lot also must be improved. I'm sure that many people want to visit this place so the local government should be aware and provide good access.

Kete kesu its a place which is consist with traditional Toraja Tongkonan and cemetary.
Place are surrounded by Paddy rice plant Quiet place, bit creepy but very interesting as the culture and landscape of toraja are really beautiful

This place is somehow very beautifully quaint. Our driver said the wooden house is the place for the native to keep their rice. This place is very famous among travelers. Remember to always be respectful because this is one of heritage in Toraja. :)

Kete Kesu is the oldest traditional village in Toraja. There are various tongkonans(traditional Toraja houses) in a mystic atmosphere. Must see.

Such a cool place! You only need to pay 40.000rp for 2 persons. There were quite many affordable merchandise shops.

Kete kesu is one of the most interesting place in Tana Toraja. There are many photo spot, like traditional house, human bone, tomb in stone, ect.

one of the most visited village at Toraja, Ke'te Kesu, you won't regret to visit this village. learn how Toraja's respect their anchestor by keeping their Corps at the Hill or Cave.

This is One of the oldest and most fomaus tourist spot in Tanah Toraja. Kete Kesu most fomaus feature is the traditional house of Toraja called Tongkonan . As usual Tongkonan is always accompanied by Alang, a small house to store rice in upper part and the lower part is functioned as a gazebo to serve visitors. Close to this tongkonan we can visit stone grave where skulls and human skeletons from hundred years ago can be found.

One of the place you must visit when in Toraja. You can buy souvenir at some store that available around Kete Kesu

This also one of the main destination of tourist to visit. Sama with londa, but here there is a lot of Tongkonan which is the traditional house of Torajanese

Unique place that preserves tradition of Torajanese people. There are some Tongkonans with some buffalo horns and jaw bones. And when you go further inside this area, there are some traditional graves build on the land and some stone grave.