SIT Study Abroad Explores Toraja Culture and Gender Roles Through Lecture in Makassar
Makassar, 25 November 2025 — School for International Training (SIT) Study Abroad, through the program International Honor Programs (IHP) Death & Dying: Perspectives, Practices & Policies, once again held an academic activity in Makassar featuring cultural researcher and Tourism Lecturer at Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Dr. Dirk Sandarupa, M.Hum., MCE, as the keynote speaker. The event took place at Hotel Ibis Makassar and was attended by international students from various countries.
During a lecture titled “Caste and Gender Roles in Toraja Society,” Dr. Dirk provided an in-depth explanation of the social structure of the Toraja community, caste perspectives within death rituals, and the transformation of gender roles in both domestic and ceremonial spheres. This session was an essential component in understanding the relationship between culture, death, and social dynamics within Indigenous communities in Indonesia.
The activity was led by I Made Yudiana, the Country Coordinator for the IHP Death & Dying Program, who expressed appreciation for Dr. Dirk’s academic contribution in broadening the students’ perspectives. He emphasized that local insights delivered by Indonesian cultural experts are crucial for building a more comprehensive understanding among international participants. The program implementation in Makassar was supported by Fadil Muhammad, S.Kel., M.Sc, a lecturer at Makassar State University (UNM), who served as the Program Coordinator for SIT in Makassar, ensuring the agenda ran smoothly and met international academic standards.
he lecture was moderated by Professor Dilpreet Singh, one of the core faculty members in the IHP program, known for his expertise in death studies, global health, and comparative cultures. With an engaging and interactive moderating approach, Prof. Singh facilitated productive dialogue between the speaker and the students.
SIT Study Abroad recognized this lecture as one of the most valuable sessions within the cultural exploration activities in Indonesia. Through Dr. Dirk’s presentation, international participants gained deeper insights into the Toraja worldview of life and death, social symbolism, and gender dynamics within customary laws. “This session opened up a new perspective for us on how the Toraja community views life, death, family, and gender within their traditional context,” stated one of the participants.
The event further strengthened academic collaboration between SIT and universities in South Sulawesi, such as UNM and UNHAS, while promoting Indonesian cultural diversity to the international community through scientific approaches and cross-cultural dialogue.