In the past Torajans were buried the caves similar to Tampangallo. Due to frequent desecration of such grottos Torajans began to prefer to bury the dead in the crypts such those in Lemo. It takes almost a year to cut the hollow into the solid rock. Such vaults are usually used to lay to rest several corpses. In order to protect the resting place wooden human statues called tau tau are carved. They actually are made to resemble the buried person and are dressed in real clothing. Unfortunately tau tau figures itself are often stolen from the graves. Well priced by galleries and auction houses around the world, they become sought-after works of art.
