Sulawesi - GIS

A megalithic stone of the ancestors of Minahasa, its surface is covered with crude, mysterious live drawings and scripts which have never been deciphered. These inscriptions have the shape of humans, penises of men, vaginas of women, and other unclear motifs. Scientists suspect that these inscriptions are religious symbols of a community of the megalith culture, namely a belief in the spirits of forefathers who are supposed to have magical powers and therefore arrange and define the life of people in this world. Therefore people must perform certain sacrificial rituals to be safe or obtain what they hope to get (like a good harvest, to avoid bad luck or chase away sickness) by using large stones as their place of sacrifice.

It measures 4 m long and 2 m high and is one of remnants left by the Minahasan Tribes (who were descendants of Toar & Lumimu'ut) where they negotiated the territorial division, unification, peace, and war against their enemies. According to Minahasa history, this is the place where the ancestors first divided up the land among the people (Watu Pinabetengan means "The stone of discussion about the division"). The ruling was made in order to ensure a peaceful and harmonious life. Seven divisions were made amongst different areas of Tombulu, Tonsea, Toulour, Tontemboan, Tonsawang, Ponosakan and Pasan Ratahan.

This is located in Tompaso, Pinabetengan village about 45 km from Manado.

Source:

http://www.theminahasa.com/history/stories/megalith05.html

http://www.petra.ac.id/eastern/north_sul/tour_obj/Megalit/watu_pinawetengan.htm

http://www.theminahasa.com/glossary/indexM.html

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