Meet Yohanes Korang, the only buffalo bone craftsman in Toraja

Yohanes Korang, a man from Banga’ Village, Rembon District, Tana Toraja Regency, is the only buffalo bone craftsman in Toraja.

He makes various types of crafts using materials from buffalo bones. For example, statues that resemble humans or in Toraja language are called tau-tau as well as necklaces and bracelets.

Korang started doing this when he was still 25 years old. “I’ve been working for a long time, since I was 25 years old, that’s when tourists (foreigners) started coming to Indonesia,” he said.

Korang expertise is in creating buffalo bones into a craft that has high artistic value. In fact, his work has been sold overseas.

Korang knit buffalo bones in a small hut in Banga’ Village, Rembon District, Tana Toraja Regency. The materials used by Korang all use traditional materials. Such as rattan as a substitute for thread and goat skin for the tau-tau clothes he makes.

Meanwhile, the tools used by Korang to create his work are still relatively simple. Such as chisels, hammers and axes.

Every day you look for and collect buffalo bones that are thrown away by the community after the process of carrying out death customs. When collected, the bones are then cleaned and separated according to shape and size. The bones are then shaped and sculpted as desired.

This person, whose daily nickname is Ambe Tato’ Kora, never stops working.

He is also the only buffalo bone carver in Toraja, which should require attention from the Government.

Source: makassar.tribunnews.com