• a traditional ceremony that brings family and the village together

Dear Fathima,

I want to tell you about a Toraja funeral ceremony that in Sulawesi.

The Toraja people have a special way of saying goodbye to a family member. The ceremony is very important, and many people from the family and village take part in it.

First, the family has a service in a church. Relatives, friends, and other guests sit together and listen to prayers and songs. The priest speaks about the person who dies and gives comfort to the family. After the church service, everybody goes to the village for the traditional part of the ceremony.

The village square is very busy. Many guests arrive from different places, and the family welcomes them. People wear traditional clothes, and some guests bring gifts for the family. Relatives prepare food and drinks for the visitors. People sit in small traditional houses around the square and talk to each other.

Animals are also an important part of the ceremony. The family brings pigs and water buffaloes to the ceremony. The animals are slaughtered, and the meat is given to people from the village. The buffaloes have a particularly important place in Toraja culture. They are not only part of the funeral ceremony. They also show the family’s position in the village.

After a buffalo is slaughtered, its horns have a special meaning. The horns are put in front of the family house. When a family has many buffalo horns in front of its house, people see this as a sign of high social position. A large number of horns shows that the family has an important place in the village hierarchy.

The ceremony is a serious time, but it is also a time for the community to come together. Families meet, guests talk with each other, and people remember the person who has died. I find this tradition very different from funerals elsewhere.

The Toraja funeral shows how closely family, community, and tradition are connected.

Best wishes,

Fandy

____________________________

Vocabulary:

• a funeral ceremony – a time when people say goodbye to a dead person
• a village – a small place where people live
• to take part in something – to join and do something with other people
• a relative – a person in your family
• a prayer – words that you say to God
• to give comfort – to help a sad person feel better
• a square – an open place in the middle of a town or village
• to be busy – to have many people or things happening
• a gift – something you give to another person
• to slaughter – to kill an animal for food
• meat – food from an animal
• horns (of a buffalo) – two hard, pointed parts on a buffalo’s head
• a hierarchy – a system that shows who has a higher or lower position
• a community – a group of people who live in the same place
• to remember – to think about someone or something from the past
• elsewhere – in another place
• to be connected – to have a link with someone or something

####################

Match the words with the definitions

1. a funeral ceremony
2. a village
3. to take part in something
4. a relative
5. a prayer
6. to give comfort
7. a square
8. to be busy
9. a gift
10. to slaughter
11. meat
12. horns
13. a hierarchy
14. a community
15. to remember
16. elsewhere
17. to be connected
    

A. to help a sad person feel better
B. a small place where people live
C. food from an animal
D. in another place
E. to join and do something with other people
F. a time when people say goodbye to a dead person
G. two hard, pointed parts on a buffalo’s head
H. something you give to another person
I. to kill an animal for food
J. a person in your family
K. to think about someone or something from the past
L. an open place in the middle of a town or village
M. to have many people or things happening
N. words that you say to God
O. a system that shows who has a higher or lower position
P. a group of people who live in the same place
Q. to have a link with someone or something

______________________________

Answer key:
1–F, 2–B, 3–E, 4–J, 5–N, 6–A, 7–L,
8–M, 9–H, 10–I, 11–C, 12–G, 13–O,
14–P, 15–K, 16–D, 17–Q
#####################

Match the definitions with the words

1. a time when people say goodbye to a dead person
2. a small place where people live
3. to join and do something with other people
4. a person in your family
5. words that you say to God
6. to help a sad person feel better
7. an open place in the middle of a town or village
8. to have many people or things happening
9. something you give to another person
10. to kill an animal for food
11. food from an animal
12. two hard, pointed parts on a buffalo’s head
13. a system that shows who has a higher or lower position
14. a group of people who live in the same place
15. to think about someone or something from the past
16. in another place
17. to have a link with someone or something
    

A. a community
B. a funeral ceremony
C. a gift
D. elsewhere
E. a hierarchy
F. a prayer
G. to be connected
H. to be busy
I. meat
J. to remember
K. a relative
L. to slaughter
M. a square
N. horns
O. to give comfort
P. a village
Q. to take part in something

__________________________

Answer key:
1–B, 2–P, 3–Q, 4–K, 5–F, 6–O, 7–M,
8–H, 9–C, 10–L, 11–I, 12–N, 13–E,
14–A, 15–J, 16–D, 17–G

###################

Find the information

1. Who writes the email? → __________
2. Who receives the email? → __________
3. Where does the funeral ceremony take place? → __________
4. Where does the first service take place? → __________
5. Who speaks during the church service? → __________
6. What do people listen to during the church service? → __________
7. What do people do after the church service? → __________
8. Who takes part in the traditional ceremony? → __________
9. What animals does the family bring to the ceremony? → __________
10. What happens to the animals? → __________
11. What happens to the meat? → __________
12. Where do people put the buffalo horns? → __________
13. What do many buffalo horns show about a family? → __________
14. What three things are closely connected in Toraja funeral traditions? → __________

————————————————-

Answer key: 1. Fandy, 2. Fathima, 3. Sulawesi, 4. a church, 5. the priest, 6. prayers and songs, 7. they go to the village, 8. family members and guests, 9. pigs and water buffaloes, 10. they are slaughtered, 11. it is given to people from the village, 12. in front of the family house, 13. a high social position, 14. family, community, and tradition.

######################

Multiple choice

1. Who writes the email?
   A. Fathima
   B. The priest
   C. Fandy
2. Where does the first part of the ceremony take place?
   A. In the village square
   B. In the family house
   C. In a church
3. What do people listen to during the church service?
   A. Prayers and songs
   B. Stories and prayers
   C. Speeches and music
4. Who speaks about the person who dies?
   A. A relative
   B. The priest
   C. A village leader
5. What happens after the church service?
   A. The family goes home
   B. Everybody goes to the village
   C. The guests leave the village
6. What do some guests bring?
   A. Gifts
   B. Food
   C. Traditional clothes
7. Where do people sit and talk to each other?
   A. Inside the church
   B. In small traditional houses
   C. Around the village square
8. Which animals does the family bring?
   A. Cows and pigs
   B. Pigs and water buffaloes
   C. Water buffaloes and goats
9. What happens to the meat?
   A. The family keeps it
   B. Guests take it home
   C. It is given to people from the village
10. Why are buffaloes important in Toraja culture?
    A. They show the family’s position
    B. They live near the family house
    C. They provide food for visitors
11. Where are the buffalo horns put?
    A. Near the church
    B. In front of the family house
    C. In the village square
12. What does a large number of horns show?
    A. The family gives many gifts
    B. The family has many animals
    C. The family has an important place in the village hierarchy
13. What do people do at the ceremony?
    A. They meet and remember the person who dies
    B. They only listen to the priest
    C. They only prepare food
14. What is the ceremony also a time for?
    A. People to travel elsewhere
    B. Families to build new houses
    C. The community to come together
15. What are closely connected in the Toraja funeral tradition?
    A. Church, village, and gifts
    B. Family, community, and tradition
    C. Food, animals, and houses

_____________________________

Answer key:
1-C, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A,
7-B, 8-B, 9-C, 10-A, 11-B,
12-C, 13-A, 14-C, 15-B

#####################

True or false

1. Fandy writes the email to Fathima.
2. The first part of the funeral ceremony takes place in the village square.
3. Relatives and friends listen to prayers and songs in the church.
4. The priest speaks about the person who dies.
5. Everybody stays in the church for the whole ceremony.
6. Some guests bring gifts for the family.
7. People sit in small traditional houses around the square.
8. The family brings only pigs to the ceremony.
9. The animals are slaughtered during the ceremony.
10. The meat is given to people from the village.
11. Buffaloes have no special meaning in Toraja culture.
12. Buffaloes show the family’s position in the village.
13. The buffalo horns are put inside the church.
14. Many horns in front of a house can show a high social position.
15. A large number of horns shows that the family has a low position in the village hierarchy.
16. The ceremony is only a sad time for the family.
17. Families and guests meet and talk during the ceremony.
18. People forget the person who dies during the ceremony.
19. Family, community, and tradition are closely connected.
20. Fandy says that the Toraja tradition is very similar to funerals in Europe.

____________________________

False:2,5,8,11,13,15,16,18,20

____________________________

Full version:

1. Fandy writes the email to Fathima.
2. The first part of the funeral ceremony takes place in the village square. True is: The first part of the funeral ceremony takes place in a church.
3. Relatives and friends listen to prayers and songs in the church.
4. The priest speaks about the person who dies.
5. Everybody stays in the church for the whole ceremony. True is: Everybody goes to the village after the church service.
6. Some guests bring gifts for the family.
7. People sit in small traditional houses around the square.
8. The family brings only pigs to the ceremony. True is: The family brings pigs and water buffaloes to the ceremony.
9. The animals are slaughtered during the ceremony.
10. The meat is given to people from the village.
11. Buffaloes have no special meaning in Toraja culture. True is: Buffaloes have an important place in Toraja culture.
12. Buffaloes show the family’s position in the village.
13. The buffalo horns are put inside the church. True is: The buffalo horns are put in front of the family house.
14. Many horns in front of a house can show a high social position.
15. A large number of horns shows that the family has a low position in the village hierarchy. True is: A large number of horns shows that the family has an important place in the village hierarchy.
16. The ceremony is only a sad time for the family. True is: The ceremony is a serious time, but it is also a time for the community to come together.
17. Families and guests meet and talk during the ceremony.
18. People forget the person who dies during the ceremony. True is: People remember the person who dies during the ceremony.
19. Family, community, and tradition are closely connected.
20. Fandy says that the Toraja tradition is very similar to funerals in Europe. True is: Fandy finds the Toraja tradition very different from funerals in Europe.

##################

Odd one out – choose the word or phrase that does not belong to the group.

1. church – airport – village square – family house
2. priest – relative – buffalo – guest
3. prayers – music – songs – gifts
4. pigs – guests – water buffaloes – buffalo horns
5. traditional ceremony – airport check-in – church service – village meeting
6. family – buffaloes – relatives – guests
7. village hierarchy – social position – church songs – buffalo horns
8. meat – prayers – food – drinks
9. community – airport – family – tradition
10. remember – slaughter – talk – meet

_______________________

Answers and explanations

1. church – airport – village square – family house
   Airport is not a place in the Toraja funeral ceremony.
2. priest – relative – buffalo – guest
   Buffalo is not a person at the ceremony.
3. prayers – music – songs – gifts
   Gifts are not things people hear during the church service.
4. pigs – guests – water buffaloes – buffalo horns
   Guests are people, while the other three are connected with animals.
5. traditional ceremony – airport check-in – church service – village meeting
   Airport check-in is not connected with the funeral ceremony or village life.
6. family – buffaloes – relatives – guests
   Buffaloes are animals, while the other three are people.
7. village hierarchy – social position – church songs – buffalo horns
   Church songs are not connected with the family’s social position.
8. meat – prayers – food – drinks
   Prayers are not connected with food and drinks.
9. community – airport – family – tradition
   An airport is not connected with the Toraja funeral tradition.
10. remember – slaughter – talk – meet
    Slaughter is about killing an animal, while the other three describe social actions.

##################

Cause and effect – match each cause with the correct effect

Causes

1. The family has a service in a church.
2. Relatives and friends come to the church.
3. The church service ends.
4. Guests arrive from different places.
5. Some guests bring gifts.
6. The family brings pigs and water buffaloes.
7. The animals are slaughtered.
8. The family has many buffalo horns in front of its house.
9. Families and guests meet during the ceremony.
10. Family, community, and tradition are closely connected.

Effects

A. The meat goes to people from the village.
B. The family shows an important place in the village hierarchy.
C. People listen to prayers and songs.
D. The village becomes a place where many people come together.
E. The family receives things from visitors.
F. People from different places become part of the ceremony.
G. People from the family and village share the ceremony.
H. Everybody goes to the village for the traditional part.
I. People see the ceremony as an important part of community life.
J. The ceremony includes important animals.

___________________________

Answer key:
1-C, 2-F, 3-H, 4-D, 5-E, 6-J, 7-A, 8-B, 9-G, 10-I

####################

Match the two sentence halves

1. The family has a service in a church
2. Relatives and friends listen to the priest
3. The church service ends
4. Guests arrive from different places
5. Some guests bring gifts
6. The family brings pigs and water buffaloes
7. The animals are slaughtered
8. The family has many buffalo horns in front of its house
9. Families and guests meet during the ceremony
10. Family, community, and tradition are closely connected
    

A. and the meat is given to people from the village.
B. and this shows the family’s high social position.
C. and they hear prayers and songs.
D. so everybody goes to the village for the traditional part.
E. so the family receives things from visitors.
F. so more people become part of the ceremony.
G. and people from the village share the ceremony.
H. so animals have an important role in the ceremony.
I. so the ceremony brings people together.
J. and this makes the tradition an important part of village life.

_________________________

Answer key: 1-C, 2-C, 3-D, 4-F, 5-E, 6-H, 7-A, 8-B, 9-I, 10-J

##################

Reference words: what does the word in + + refer to in the text?

1. Relatives, friends, and other guests sit together and listen to prayers and songs. +They+ listen to prayers and songs. → __________
2. The priest speaks about the person who dies and gives comfort to the family. +He+ gives comfort to the family. → __________
3. The village square is very busy. +It+ has many guests. → __________
4. Many guests arrive from different places, and the family welcomes +them+. → __________
5. Some guests bring gifts for the family. +These+ show respect for the family. → __________
6. Relatives prepare food and drinks for the visitors. +They+ prepare food and drinks. → __________
7. The family brings pigs and water buffaloes to the ceremony. +They+ are slaughtered. → __________
8. The animals are slaughtered, and the meat is given to people from the village. +It+ is given to the villagers. → __________
9. The buffaloes have a particularly important place in Toraja culture. +They+ also show the family’s position. → __________
10. The family puts the buffalo horns in front of its house. +These+ have a special meaning. → __________
11. A large number of horns shows that the family has an important place in the village hierarchy. +This+ shows the family’s social position. → __________
12. Families meet, guests talk with each other, and people remember the person who dies. +These+ are important parts of the ceremony. → __________
13. The ceremony is a serious time, but +it+ is also a time for the community to come together. → __________
14. The Toraja funeral shows how closely family, community, and tradition are connected. +This+ is very different from many funerals in Europe. → __________

————————————————

Answer key:

1. Relatives, friends, and other guests sit together and listen to prayers and songs. +They+ listen to prayers and songs. → relatives, friends, and other guests
2. The priest speaks about the person who dies and gives comfort to the family. +He+ gives comfort to the family. → the priest
3. The village square is very busy. +It+ has many guests. → the village square
4. Many guests arrive from different places, and the family welcomes +them+. → many guests
5. Some guests bring gifts for the family. +These+ show respect for the family. → gifts
6. Relatives prepare food and drinks for the visitors. +They+ prepare food and drinks. → relatives
7. The family brings pigs and water buffaloes to the ceremony. +They+ are slaughtered. → pigs and water buffaloes
8. The animals are slaughtered, and the meat is given to people from the village. +It+ is given to the villagers. → the meat
9. The buffaloes have a particularly important place in Toraja culture. +They+ also show the family’s position. → the buffaloes
10. The family puts the buffalo horns in front of its house. +These+ have a special meaning. → the buffalo horns
11. A large number of horns shows that the family has an important place in the village hierarchy. +This+ shows the family’s social position. → a large number of horns
12. Families meet, guests talk with each other, and people remember the person who dies. +These+ are important parts of the ceremony. → families meeting, guests talking, and people remembering the person who dies
13. The ceremony is a serious time, but +it+ is also a time for the community to come together. → the ceremony
14. The Toraja funeral shows how closely family, community, and tradition are connected. +This+ is very different from many funerals in Europe. → the connection between family, community, and tradition

##################

Match questions and answers

Questions

1. Where does the first part of the ceremony happen?
2. Who speaks about the person who dies?
3. What do the guests listen to in the church?
4. Where do people go after the church service?
5. What do relatives prepare for the visitors?
6. What do some guests bring for the family?
7. Which animals are part of the ceremony?
8. What happens to the animals?
9. What happens to the meat?
10. Where do the buffalo horns go?
11. What do many buffalo horns show?
12. Who comes together during the ceremony?
13. How do people feel about the ceremony?
14. What three things are closely connected in the Toraja funeral?

Answers

A. The family, community, and tradition have a close connection.
B. People from the family and village come together.
C. The priest speaks about the person who dies.
D. The meat goes to people from the village.
E. People listen to prayers and songs.
F. The ceremony has a serious character.
G. The first part takes place in a church.
H. Relatives prepare food and drinks.
I. Pigs and water buffaloes are part of it.
J. The buffalo horns go in front of the family house.
K. Some guests bring gifts for the family.
L. The animals are killed for the ceremony.
M. Many horns show a high social position.
N. Everyone goes to the village.

_________________________

Answer key:
1-G, 2-C, 3-E, 4-N, 5-H, 6-K, 7-I, 8-L,
9-D, 10-J, 11-M, 12-B, 13-F, 14-A

_________________________

Correct dialogue:

Fathima: Where does the first part of the ceremony happen?

Fandy: The first part takes place in a church.

Fathima: Who speaks about the person who dies?

Fandy: The priest talks about the person who dies.

Fathima: What do the guests listen to in the church?

Fandy: They hear prayers and songs.

Fathima: Where do people go after the church service?

Fandy: Everyone goes to the village.

Fathima: What do relatives prepare for the visitors?

Fandy: They get food and drinks ready for them.

Fathima: What do some guests bring for the family?

Fandy: Some guests bring gifts for the family.

Fathima: Which animals are part of the ceremony?

Fandy: Pigs and water buffaloes are part of it.

Fathima: What happens to the animals?

Fandy: They are killed for food during the ceremony.

Fathima: What happens to the meat?

Fandy: People from the village receive the meat.

Fathima: Where do the buffalo horns go?

Fandy: They go in front of the family house.

Fathima: What do many buffalo horns show?

Fandy: They show that the family has a high social position.

Fathima: Who comes together during the ceremony?

Fandy: Family members, relatives, guests, and villagers come together.

Fathima: How do people feel about the ceremony?

Fandy: They see it as a serious and important time.

Fathima: What three things are closely connected in the Toraja funeral?

Fandy: Family, community, and tradition have a close connection.

#############################
##########################
Please use the box below
to write your feedback.
Only I can read it.
It is not public.

Please tell me:

• Are the texts and exercises OK?
• Are the topics OK?
• Is the level OK?
• Is it too easy or too difficult?
• tIs it oo short, too long?
• Do you want texts about other topics?

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback.

##################

##################

##################

Remember how babies
learn a language:

Babies learn a language by listening.
They use their ears to hear sounds.
Their brain remembers these sounds.
Babies connect sounds with people and things.
They listen to their parents.
Then they copy the sounds they hear. They imitate words.
Slowly, babies learn to speak.

So,
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN………………