Waruga Opo Worang

North Sulawesi


Minahasans traditionally interred their dead in a squatting position in waruga stone sarcophagi shaped like houses sitting above ground right near their settlement. During a particularly nasty outbreak of cholera, the Dutch government banned the practice, forcing Minahasans to bury their dead below ground some distance from the village. Waruga Opo Worang has a small collection in town.

If you need to see more waruga in a more photogenic setting, head 30km west of town to Waruga Sawangan archaeological park near the Manado–Bitung road.


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