Toraja effigies called "Tau-tau", representing the deceased. - Toraja region of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The effigies are life-size wooden sculptures with large open spooky eyes, and they are generally placed on a balcony above a rock tomb. They are like dead persons looking day and night at the living people.

Londa is a natural cave that has been used for burials for centuries by the local Toraja people. The cave is located in a limestone cliff face and is accessed through a narrow entrance that leads into a large chamber.

There are a number of tau-tau statues located at the entrance of the cave. These are wooden effigies of deceased family members, and are created to serve as a physical representation of the deceased person's spirit. The tau-tau are typically carved in the likeness of the deceased, and are dressed in traditional Torajan clothing.

In touristic areas (like here), the tau-tau effigies look like Grevin museum wax sculpture, but traditional tau-tau effigies with their big open eyes can still be found. Unfortunately some of the nicest tau-tau got stolen by unscrupulous antique dealers, which is very sad.

See more info and photos of Toraja burial sites in the Toraja burial sites photo album.

See more information about the Toraja People in the Tana Toraja photo album.