Unbelievable: The Torajan people believe digging up and dressing their dead brings good harvest

Locals dig up dead loved ones, wash, groom and parade them around the street for the “corpse cleaning” ceremonies.

It is uncommon for westerners to be photographed with the bodies

The freaky photos were taken at Lembang Lempo Poton village today, in Toraja, during the Ma’nene harvest festival.

The strange tradition started centuries ago when an animal hunter found a decaying corpse, and dressed him in his shirt to gave him a proper burial.

He believed after the burial he was blessed with good fortune, and the Torajan people bought into it.

The new images appear to be the first showing tourists getting involved in the festival.

The mummified remains are dressed up for the event

The event happens every year in the Indonesian village

The mummies are walked around the village, following a path of straight lines.

These straight lines are perhaps the most important part of the ceremony.

According to myth, the lines are connected with Hyang, a spiritual entity with supernatural power.

The soul of the deceased must follow the path of Hyang to reach the afterlife.

The bodies are exhumed from their graves by loved ones

The Torajan people, from south Sulawesi, believe familial relationships do not end at death.

Bodies of relatives and friends are dug up – even babies and children – as part of their three-day annual celebrations.

The families open the coffins and let the bodies dry.

Tourists pose with the exhumed remains of an Indonesian woman

Villagers are forbidden from crying or showing sorrow, and must maintain a happy mood throughout the festival

Locals take selfies with the corpses

Friend and relatives alike are dug up

A man brushes his late mother’s hair

The bodies are paraded around the street

Afterwards, they wash, groom and dress the mummies in fancy new clothes.

All of this is done while smiling ear-to-ear, because crying and mourning is prohibited.

The villagers believe they are honouring their dead with cheerfulness.

After the walk, the villagers sacrifice buffalo and pigs as an offering for the dead’s free walk to heaven.

Damaged coffins are also fixed or replaced.