Art & Culture Tiwah (Ceremony of the Dead)

In the innerland of Central Kalimantan, the indigenious belief of the Dayak Ngaju tribe, 'Hindu Kaharingan' are known to do many ritual ceremonies applied in death series ceremony. One of them is called 'Tiwah'.

This Tiwah ceremony is rarely held and heard of by the Dayak tribe; moreover, by the people of Central Kalimantan in general. Why is Tiwah ceremony rarely held? surely, there are some reasons. That is why it is a very rare occasion especially for art and culture observers to see Tiwah ceremony done in Central Kalimantan. You might not find it held annually.

Tiwah ceremony that can last quite long, a month or 30 days, has some orderly steps from the very beginning to the end with slaughtering some sacrificed cattle like buffalo, ox, pig, chicken and so forth.

That is why this sacred ceremony is very expensive if it is done by a person, so usually it is done together by a few families for the Tiwah ceremony. According to Kaharingan Hindus belief in Central Kalimantan, The Tiwah Ceremony is a final step ceremony to accompany the spirit of the dead to heaven or 'Lewu Tatau'

In central Kalimantan province, there are some similar ceremonies held by Dayak Ngaju Tribes. It is done by Dayak tribes who live in innerland of Central Kalimantan, like Ijambe and Wara ceremonies. Dayak tribes having Tiwah ceremony is Dayak Ngaju living along stream of Kapuas River,Kahayan, Mentaya, and Seruyan.

The Dayak who celebrate Ijambe ceremony are Dayak Ma'anyan and Lawangan who live along the stream of the Barito River and around it. The Dayak who celebrate Wara ceremony are Dayak Taboyan, Bayan, Dusun, and Bentian who live on the bank The Barito River.

Tiwah, Ijambe and Wara ceremonies have differences but mainly they serve the same purposes, to accompany the spirit of the dead to its eternal place or heaen.

Since these sacred ceremonies contain a lot of traditional value, they are potentially noted as cultural tourist attractioons that are unique. It is very interesting to look at and enjoy which might only happen in Central Kalimantan Province.