Yes, more strange statues to wonder about.
And while I’ve seen many such wonders across the planet, I still had to travel to Lore Lindu for more.
CONTENTS
It was a long, 12-hour round trip by chartered car with a local guide, but well worth the effort.
Megaliths From a Lost Culture
Archaeological studies have dated the Lore Lindu megaliths from between 3000 BC to 1300 AD, so how good is that?
Bloody useless!
Nothing known.
Some have speculated that it was once part of a greater South-East Asia empire, connected to Cambodia, Indonesia or Laos from 2000 years ago.
Others say as old as 5000 years.
For my 2-cents, definitely the stone jars are like Laos – with its lost history and similar relics. Then again, the faces of some statues are SIMLIAR to the little-known San Agustin culture in southern Colombia (circa 400 AD), and the Bada Valley megaliths even have an inkling of the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Moai heads.
Are the Lore Lindu megaliths of the Bada Valley part of some lost and unknown trans-continental culture that someone like Graham Hancock espouses?
Could well be.
Discovery of the Bada Valley Megaliths
They discovered the megaliths in 1908.
But along with their unknown origins, nothing is certain about their purpose.
Again, to speculate, some say these statues were for ancestor worship (seems likely to me). However, locals have their own folklore about each megalith.
For instance, there is a megalith they have named Tokala’ea, which is said to have been a rapist who was turned into stone. The deep cuts on this megalith are said to be knife wounds. Another megalith, known as Tadulako, is thought to have once been a village protector. After stealing some rice, however, he was turned to stone as punishment.
SOURCE: Ancient Origins
Others say the megaliths are about human sacrifice or to keep evil spirits away.
These were newly discovered kalmbas, found on the private land of our local guide (and his son poses in one). We hiked up a small valley following a jungle stream to see these, including the carving of a dog (TOP RIGHT).
Getting to Bada Valley
For the Lore Lindu National Park monuments, it’s best to do the Bada Valley trip from Tentena.
While it’s only about 70 km away – a winding mountain road, sometimes muddy and broken, ensures a FULL-DAY trip, like 12 hours, including 3 hours each way there and back, plus time around the valley sights.
We went with the ever-cheerful Kiki, who lived in the Bada Valley and was usually a farmer outside of the tourist season.
Contact Noni – the amazing host of the Victory Hotel in Tentena for help.
Costs: 1, 300,000 rupiah (= 2023) for a driver / car, which can be shared – IF you can find another traveler or two. Take lunch, or factor in another 100,000 for a local meal of fried fish, rice and veg. Plus, a Coke or coffee, etc.
Take sunscreen and a hat.
Also, water, but supplies can be topped up in the valley.
Travels in Indonesia – 2023
