BENTENG BUNTU BARANA
The fortress on top of Barana Hill

Official Toraja sources tell the following (doubtful) story about the benteng: The Buntu Barana fortress in Tikala stems from the 18th century when Sia Ne'Salu and his wife L. Ta'bi built a fortified house on Barana Hill in order to defend themselves against local enemies and foreign aggressors. The fortress was later reinforced with the assistance of the inhabitants of Tobarani, Tondon, Kesu', Madandan, Balepe', Pangala' and various other villages. Benteng Buntu Barana was actually a combination of 3 fortresses: 1. The Pa'patulelean Batu fortress located in the southern part; 2. The Mangunda'pa fortress just below the Buntu Barana' fortress; 3. The Buntu Barana fortress itself on top of the hill. The three fortresses constituted a single strategic stronghold and powerful defense line. The Dutch colonial army conquered Buntu Barana in 1906 against strong resistance by the defenders under the command of Tanga Layuk and Sitto. Remnants of walls and gates is all that's left of the fortresses but visitors can still enjoy the beautiful panorama from the top of Barana Hill towards Barana village, Bori, Tallunglipu and the town of Rantepao.