In traditional Torajan society each village was autonomous and was inhabited by one extended family. Palawa is an example of well preserved rural community with characteristic Torajan houses called tongkonan. A typical house structure contains three parts: the first level described as the underworld where animals were stabled, the middle level or world of humans and the roof that symbolizes the highest world, the world of the gods. The exterior walls are often painted with black, red and yellow colors and are carved with motifs representing the social status of owners. Some houses are decorated with buffalo horns as a sign of wealth. Horns come from animals killed at the funerals of family members.
