Above: Cryptic signs showing the availability of dog meat.
Driving through the towns and countryside our guide and pointed out shops which sold dog meat. These are indicated rather discreetly by way of cryptic signs and codes, eg. “Ada” (meaning “Have” or “Available”) or red plastic bag hanging on a stick.
I found the level of discretion a little strange. I have been in Christian communities in the Archipelago and they are quite proud of their god-given right as Christians to eat dog meat, unlike their Muslim counterparts. And Toraja is a very Christian area.
Our guide thought that the indications are all cryptic to avoid offending the Muslim minority and visiting Muslims from the rest of the country. As there’s plenty of signage openly promoting the sale of pork, I didn’t quite buy his explanation … I thought it was more to avoid offending foreigners.
Anyway, there appears to be some perks to being a Christian:
- You can eat dog, Hallelujah!
- You can embalm your relatives and leave them in your home for a few years … no need to rush to bury them ASAP (or even same day) as required by Islam. Oh what luxury.
- Circumcision is optional!