Tongkanon are traditional ancestral houses, with their visual dominance over the landscape very much reflecting the importance of funerals and death in Torajan society. In Toraja, the funeral is the centerpiece for which society, and the economy revolves around. While in some western societies, much money is dedicated to houses, or weddings, in Toraja affluence &nbsp;is often by how large your funeral is.&nbsp; A large funeral can go for 5+ days, involves the entire community and includes up to 100 animals being sacrificed.&nbsp; A prized buffalo can cost up to $100 000 (AUD), although most range from $1000- $10 000.&nbsp; It is not uncommon for the body to be preserved, and funerals to occur 3-5 years after the individuals death, although the longer you wait, the more the community expects a large event.&nbsp;