Not far from the capital city of South Minahasa regency at Tondei village, approximately an hour by car, we can find a unique stone, called Watu Lutau. Literally, means Shoot Stone. There are a lot of stone of this kind. But what makes this unique is its carving on it. If look closely we see pictures of people handling hands together while dancing. The two pictures are on the each opposite side. The one that faces eastward represents the first ancestor of Minahasa, Toar and Lumimuut. The other one faces west represents the other ancestors, sons of Toar and Lumimuut, named Makuwulur and Mamarimbing. From the village of Tondei Dua, it needs only a couple minutes to get there. The access is easy as well.
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| Watu Lutau at Tondei Motoling Barat |
The cultural site is not being taken care well by the most of the people. The people who have been Christianized by the west try to forbid their children to get close to it. Only few people come and see. Very little who come to put an offering on it. But nowadays, a group of young people, affiliated in an organization called Sanggar Tumondei Minahasa Selatan is trying to do many efforts to preserve the site. The conduct seminars and visitation to introduce this site the young generation. The try to erase the stereotypes which they know so far.
The young generation of Sanggar Tumondei are aware that by separating them from the stone makes them forget the great story of their ancestor. "Our ancestor are as brave as the hero of the west in Greece or in Europe. Our ancestors are as wise as the nuns in the east, China. We are very proud of them. They don't left us with books. But the left us with stones. Via these stones we know from where we are," said one of the young people whom they called Tonaas.
Fifty years, roughly, this village is taken from its original form. The young people reintroduces Kabasaran and Maengket dance, Kalie game, Mare i Lele (a celebration after Mapalus). At the beginning until now, these young people have already faced trouble. Even, one or more of their member's parent quarrel with them. They were punished. They were considered doing adultery. But, they keep fighting. They try to fight by showing the real things of Minahasa.
It's believed that the Watu Lutau was erected after the death of Makawulur around the mountain of Lolombulan. He was the leader of Malesung people (the old name of Minahasa). When they lived there they some of the time face obstacle made by the surrounding community called Pasengkotan people. Watu Lutau is not the only one stone at Tondei. There are 9 stones. The team of expedition of Sanggar Tumondei already found four. They are near the village.
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| Youth of Sanggar Tumondei have just reerected the ignored site |
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| Rikson Karundeng, Minahasan journalist |
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| Youth of Tondei |
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