TOSANGSEREKAN, A Theological Reflection on the Integrity of Creation in the Torajan Context

Abstract

What is the aboriginal concept of Tosangserekan itself? The philosophy of Tosangserekan in Aluk to dolo concept: All creatures (the ancestors) were made by Puang Matua, The material for producing those ancestors was gold, The tool to forged–to form was a pair of bellows (sauan sibarrung). And all ancestors were made (forged) in the sky, therefore the tosangserekan is not just merely a philosophy of human beings (moral value) nor culture, but it is more like an integration of cosmic living system (intact, interrelatedness and wholeness). The consequence is Tosangserekan as a cosmic system is very close with natural law (organic holism). The entire life dimension CANNOT be separated; everything is in oneness of intact union. The Theology of Life and the Philosophy of To Sangserekan: theology of restoration with ecological spirit, so humans are aware and have a self-control base on their cultural life, especially when it involves nature. One thing that is certain is: this earth is only one, and our planet is in a problem and then it is going towards to destruction. And the most responsible for this damages one is human beings. Because he is given an authorization to manage nature wisely (Theocentric-holistic). Nature or creatures has been treated arbitrarily, without having a pity, and unfairly. The fact that a lot of species of plant and animal have totally disappeared. The requirements are not only the conservation techniques and the knowledge on the environment but primarily more to the basic attitude, which is expressed from the deepest inner self. This basic attitude then will give the influence to the viewpoint on nature. Even it could be able to shift and form a new paradigm or a new ethic on the environment.

Analisis Antropologi tentang Konsep "Unnalli Melo"

“…Oleh karena itu masyarakat Bugis menyebut orang-orang yang tinggal di pedalaman, atau orang-orang yang berada di daerah dataran tinggi. 3 "Unnalli melo" adalah sistem kepercayaan atau penalaran dalam masyarakat Toraja yang menekankan kejujuran, keserasian, kesetaraan, dan keterpercayaan dalam hubungan sosial. Konsep ini membentuk sebuah habitus tunggal dan menunjukkan nilai yang tinggi diberikan pada keharmonisan.…”