Betang Traditional House
Betang is a typical traditional house of Borneo spread across various locations on Borneo Island and inhabited by the Dayak people - especially those living inland - which usually used as center of the customary settlement.
Betang has its unique purpose. Designed with elongated shape which is only has one single stairs as an entrance. The stair which is used for enter to Betang called "Hejan". Betang was built in high position from the ground in order to avoid enemies that can come suddenly, wild animals, or floods that sometimes hit the the village. Almost all betang can be found on the edge of major rivers in Borneo.
Betang built in rather enormous size with about 30-150 meter length, 10-30 meter width and the pillars about 3-5 meter height. Betang constructed using high quality wood, the ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri T et B). This wood can remain persisted over hundreds of years and anti termite. This is the best wood ever.
Betang House commonly inhabited by 100-150 people inside. Betang usually led by a tribe leader. Inside, there are several rooms that inhabited by each families member.
On the front yard of Betang there is some kind of hall as a place to welcome guests as well as the customary meeting place and on the back of Betang there a small hall for storing household appliances. There is also a special room used as weapon storage area.
"Sapundu" (statue), a kind of Totem in Indian tribes can also be found on the front yard of Betang, which is generally shaped as human form. Sapundu functioned as a pole to tie up animals to be sacrificed for the Tiwah ceremony procession.
There is also "Sandung", a storage place to save the bones of the family who had died through Tiwah ceremony process.
And usually there is also "Pasah Patahu" or the house of "Patahu". According to local beliefs, Patahu is a kind of supernatural spirits which in charge of guarding the village. In the ancient times, when group of "Asang" (headhunters) intend to attack the village guarded by Patahu, the village was out of enemy sight because of its magical powers.
Image by Folks of Dayak
Betang has its unique purpose. Designed with elongated shape which is only has one single stairs as an entrance. The stair which is used for enter to Betang called "Hejan". Betang was built in high position from the ground in order to avoid enemies that can come suddenly, wild animals, or floods that sometimes hit the the village. Almost all betang can be found on the edge of major rivers in Borneo.
Betang built in rather enormous size with about 30-150 meter length, 10-30 meter width and the pillars about 3-5 meter height. Betang constructed using high quality wood, the ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri T et B). This wood can remain persisted over hundreds of years and anti termite. This is the best wood ever.
Betang House commonly inhabited by 100-150 people inside. Betang usually led by a tribe leader. Inside, there are several rooms that inhabited by each families member.
On the front yard of Betang there is some kind of hall as a place to welcome guests as well as the customary meeting place and on the back of Betang there a small hall for storing household appliances. There is also a special room used as weapon storage area.
"Sapundu" (statue), a kind of Totem in Indian tribes can also be found on the front yard of Betang, which is generally shaped as human form. Sapundu functioned as a pole to tie up animals to be sacrificed for the Tiwah ceremony procession.
Sapundu Statue
There is also "Sandung", a storage place to save the bones of the family who had died through Tiwah ceremony process.
Sandung
And usually there is also "Pasah Patahu" or the house of "Patahu". According to local beliefs, Patahu is a kind of supernatural spirits which in charge of guarding the village. In the ancient times, when group of "Asang" (headhunters) intend to attack the village guarded by Patahu, the village was out of enemy sight because of its magical powers.
Pasah Patahu
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