Object Name: Sacred room divider
(ampang bilik)
Cultural Group: Sa’dan Toraja Peoples
Place of Origin: South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Date: Early to mid-20th century
Materials Used: Carved and painted wood
Dimensions: H: 162.0 cm, W: 18.0 cm, D: 2.5 cm (H: 63.8 in, W: 7.1 in, D: .98 in)
Credit Line and Accession Number: Anonymous gift. X94.57.1a-h

The annual ceremonial cycle of the Toraja peoples is divided into two halves: rituals of life and rituals of death. This room divider separates the rear, or southern, portion of a Toraja lineage house (tongkonan) from the northern portion and functions as a kind of ritual fence during the ceremonies related to life.

Fowler in Focus – Doors in Global Perspective.