The Most Popular Traditional Houses in Indonesia

Summary

This video explores the diverse traditional houses of Indonesia, highlighting six notable examples from various provinces. From the iconic buffalo-horn shaped Rumah Gadang of West Sumatra to the unique raft-like Rumah Rakib of Bangka Belitung, the video showcases the architectural richness of the nation's cultural heritage. Each house is described in terms of its materials, purpose, and symbolic meaning, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of Indonesia's regional diversity. The video also emphasizes how these houses have adapted over time while retaining their traditional significance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia has a rich diversity of traditional houses due to its many ethnicities and cultures.
• 😀 There are at least 34 types of traditional houses in Indonesia, each province often having more than one.
• 😀 Rumah Gadang from West Sumatra is a Minangkabau traditional house with a distinctive buffalo horn-shaped roof.
• 😀 Rumah Gadang roofs were once made of home fiber but are now mostly made from aluminum or thin metal.
• 😀 Rumah Honai from West Papua is designed with minimal ventilation to protect inhabitants from cold, especially in mountainous areas.
• 😀 Rumah Honai is made primarily from wood and weeds, but modern adaptations involve using walls and more open spaces.
• 😀 Rumah Radha from West Kalimantan is a long house, sometimes up to 180 meters, symbolizing togetherness and tolerance.
• 😀 Rumah Radha can accommodate up to 10 families and has a unique structure with high pillars and odd-numbered stairs.
• 😀 Joglo from Central Java is known for its pyramid-shaped roof, which is inspired by the shape of mountains.
• 😀 Joglo houses have four main sections: the living room, side room, main room, and storage room, and can be a unique design inspiration.
• 😀 Rumah Rakib from Bangka Belitung is designed to float on water, symbolizing the importance of water as a source of life.
• 😀 Busa Laki from East Nusa Tenggara was traditionally used by tribal chiefs and continues to influence the design of government buildings in the region.

Q & A

What makes traditional houses in Indonesia so diverse?

Indonesia's traditional houses are diverse because the country is rich in ethnicity and culture, with each province having its own unique type of house.

How many types of traditional houses are there in Indonesia?

There are at least 34 types of traditional houses in Indonesia, with some provinces having more than one type.

What is the significance of the pointed rooftop of the Ruma Gadang house?

The pointed rooftop of the Ruma Gadang house resembles a buffalo horn, which is a distinctive feature of this Minangkabau traditional house.

What materials were traditionally used for the roof of the Ruma Gadang house?

Traditionally, the roof of the Ruma Gadang house was made of home fiber, which could last for decades. However, it is now commonly replaced with aluminum or thin metal.

What is the purpose of the tight structure of the Honai house in West Papua?

The tight structure of the Honai house is designed to protect the inhabitants from the cold, as many Papuan people live in mountainous areas.

What materials are commonly used to build the Honai house?

The Honai house is generally built using wood and weeds as the primary materials.

What is unique about the Rumah Panjang house in West Kalimantan?

The Rumah Panjang house, also called the 'long house,' is extremely long, sometimes up to 180 meters, and is elevated 5 to 8 meters above the ground. It is designed to accommodate multiple families, fostering togetherness.

What is the symbolism behind the Rumah Radha's elevated pillars and odd-numbered stairs?

The elevated pillars and odd-numbered stairs of the Rumah Radha symbolize togetherness and tolerance among the families living there.

What are the four parts of the Joglo house in Central Java?

The four parts of the Joglo house are the pandopa (living room), pringitang (side room), dalam room (main room), and sentang (storage room).

Why is the Rumah Rakib in Bangka Belitung designed like a raft?

The Rumah Rakib is designed like a raft to float safely on water, which is significant to the local people who believe that water is a vital source of life.

What is the purpose of the Busa Laki house in Nusa Tenggara?

The Busa Laki house was originally used as a residence for tribal chiefs and continues to serve as a model for government buildings, such as district offices in Nusa Tenggara.

What role does the Busa Laki house play in contemporary architecture in Nusa Tenggara?

The design of the Busa Laki house is still used in the construction of government buildings in Nusa Tenggara, reflecting its cultural significance.