Traditional rice farming in Toraja, Indonesia

Traditional rice farming in Toraja, Indonesia, involves several steps carried out by local farmers with meticulous care. First, they select a suitable plot of land, often on terraced hillsides, ensuring proper water access. Then, the land is prepared by plowing and leveling the soil using simple tools like wooden plows and buffalo.

Once the land is ready, seeds are sown either directly or first cultivated in seedbeds. Farmers carefully monitor the growth of the rice plants, periodically weeding and ensuring adequate water supply through irrigation channels or rainfall.

During the growing season, rituals and ceremonies are performed to seek blessings from ancestral spirits for a bountiful harvest. Harvesting is done by hand using sickles, and the rice is threshed to separate the grains from the stalks.

After harvesting, the rice grains are dried in the sun and stored in traditional granaries called "alang." These granaries are elevated on stilts to protect the rice from pests and moisture.

Traditional rice farming in Toraja reflects a deep connection to the land, community, and spiritual beliefs, with practices passed down through generations.