Who doesn't know Rumah Gadang? This traditional house from West Sumatra is one of the most famous traditional houses in Indonesia, and even abroad. Its magnificent, unique shape and full of cultural symbols make Rumah Gadang a source of pride for Indonesian culture. Making it can not be arbitrary, you know.
This traditional house has many other names. Besides Rumah Godang, Rumah Gadang is also known by other names by the local community, namely Rumah Bagonjong or Rumah Baanjuang. Well, all of these names are the same name to refer to traditional Minangkabau traditional houses in West Sumatra. So, what are the elements of this house? Is it only used for residence or is there another function? Come on, add your insight regarding Rumah Gadang.
Functions of the Tower House
This building is usually built on a plot of land belonging to the parent family of a certain tribe or group from generation to generation and is only owned and inherited to the women of that group (matrilineal). Apart from being a place to live, this building also functions as a place for family deliberation, a place to hold ceremonies, the inheritance of traditional values, and is also a representation of matrilineal culture.
Rumah Gadang is highly venerated because it is seen as a sacred place by the community. This high status also gave birth to various rules of karma, such as having to wash your feet before going up to it. So, do not carelessly enter when you visit later.
Meaning & Uniqueness of Rumah Gadang
Meaning of the Roof
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when asked about the shape of this building? It must be the pointy, piled roof, right? This roof is called the gonjong roof. The shape itself can be likened to the shape of a ship. Small on the bottom and big on the top. The shape of the roof also has an upward curve, approximately half a circle. This form is said to resemble a buffalo horn with four or six curves, with one arch towards the front.
The pointed shape of the gonjong is likened to a hope to reach God. This roof also functions to withstand rainfall so that it does not burden the building below it.
Meaning of Building
The shape of the house itself is not symmetrical and has a slightly slanted outward design. This non-perpendicular shape is apparently influenced by the natural conditions of the Minangkabau region, which is dominant with high and lowlands, making it vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes. This shape makes Rumah Gadang stable when receiving earthquake shocks up to a strength of 8 on the Richter scale, you know.
The meaning of the truss
This house is supported on wooden pillars resting on a strong and wide flat stone. The height of the pillars that can reach up to 2 meters is intended to protect the inhabitants from the attacks of wild animals in ancient times.
The Meaning of the Wall
The walls or dindiang of this house are made of planks on the front, and bamboo on the back which are traditionally made of woven bamboo strips. Wallboards are mounted vertically with carvings. These carvings are a symbol of nature.
The back of the bamboo plank symbolizes the strength and utility of the Minangkabau community which is formed only when everyone is incorporated into a larger part of society and does not stand alone.
Part of the Tower House
Rumah Gadang adheres to a matrilineal system. So, the number of rooms is also determined from the number of women who inhabit it. Each married woman will have her own room, while the girls will be united in a room at the end. For elderly women and children will sleep in the room adjacent to the kitchen.
So, what are the rooms in it? Rumah Gadang is divided into Lanjar and loose space. The division is determined from the direction of the banjar pole, namely the pole that runs from front to back indicates lanjar, while the pole from left to right indicates space. The number of Lanjars is generally odd between 3-11 rooms, while the number of loose spaces is not determined and depends on the area of the house.
At the front, there are also usually two rice barns (Rangkiang) for storing rice. In addition, there is also the Anjuang room, where the bride and groom are side by side or a place for the coronation of traditional heads. Wow, not only magnificent, it turns out that the architecture of Rumah Gadang also has many meanings, functions, and traditional beauty that we must protect. Cool?
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