Abstract
This study revisits the idea of tonaria tangkean suru’ (human being carried by a comb) in understanding Toraja’s primal religion from the perspective of the theology of vulnerability. The comb in the Torajan worldview illustrates that the universe was created orderly and well-combed. The world order relates to the interaction between deities and humans and between humans and other creatures. However, humans have the potential to disrupt the order. Consequently, the Torajans understand themselves as beings carried by combs. In this context, the comb represents a sacrificial animal that must be slain when humans disrupt the order. Contemporary Christian Torajans interpret this idea only as a sacrificial animal. Therefore, I will revisit the idea from the theology of vulnerability coined by Judith Butler as a theoretical lens. Using the tools of constructive theology, I construct a theological imagination that utilizes these sources as its main material. The main argument is that the carrying comb, as an anthropological fact of the Torajan, shows its vulnerability as a creation. This fact theologically emphasizes the spirituality of the Torajans as beings responsible for caring for their relationships with fellow humans, God, and the other of creation.
Presenters
Christanto Sema Rappan PaledungAdjunct Faculty, Sekolah Tinggi Filsafat Theologi Jakarta (Jakarta Theological Seminary), Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Fragile Meanings: Vulnerability in the Study of Religions and Spirituality
KEYWORDS
Comb, Vulnerability, Spirituality, Toraja, Judith Butler, Responsibility
