INFOBUDAYA.NET — Tucked between sea and sky off the eastern coast of Sumatra, the Bangka Belitung Islands are more than a tropical postcard—they are a living archive of Indonesia’s ancestral wisdom. In these islands, traditional houses are not merely places to live but vessels of cultural memory, built with intention and layered meaning. Each structure reflects the values, cosmology, and environmental adaptation of the communities that have inhabited these lands for centuries.

The vernacular houses—ranging from stilted homes on land to floating dwellings on water—embody the deep philosophical roots of the Malay world and its relationship with nature, social structure, and spirituality. The region’s three primary house types—Rumah Panggung (stilt house), Rumah Limas (pyramidal house), and Rumah Rakit (raft house)—each carry their own symbolism and design language, shaped by natural surroundings and centuries of inherited knowledge. While they differ in form and function, all share a commitment to principles of harmony: with the earth, with fellow humans, and with the unseen forces that govern life.

These homes are more than architectural forms; they are stories carved in wood, rituals framed in bamboo, and beliefs held up by pillars that echo generations of care, respect, and connection. To step inside one is to enter a world where every wall speaks, and every space breathes tradition.

Among the most iconic is the Rumah Panggung, or stilt house, which remains rooted in early Malay traditions. Built from locally sourced wood, bamboo, rattan, and palm fronds, the house rises above ground on nine pillars—a number passed down from ancestral customs. These nine pillars serve not just structural but symbolic purposes, reflecting unity with ancestral order and cosmic balance. At the heart of the house stands the tiang seri, or central pillar, the first to be planted during construction and the anchor of the home’s spiritual energy. Its placement aligns the rest of the house both physically and cosmologically.

True to its philosophy, the Rumah Panggung avoids the use of paint or artificial finishes. Its natural hues signify humility, equality, and resistance to social stratification—values deeply held by the community. Here, beauty lies not in ornamentation but in authenticity. Simplicity becomes a declaration of solidarity. Inside, the space is divided with intention: an area for welcoming guests, a central communal room, a passageway (known as los), and a rear area for cooking, bathing, and storage. This layout reflects the flow of daily life while reinforcing the social bonds that hold the household together.

In contrast, the Rumah Limas expresses a more stratified but equally rich vision of society. Adopted from South Sumatra and often reserved for aristocrats, government officials, or wealthy merchants, the Rumah Limas stands out with its sweeping, tiered roof and elevated structure. Built primarily of strong hardwoods like ulin and tembesu (ironwood), this home is designed not only for durability but for ritual significance. Its five-tiered floors are called bengkilas, and each level denotes a specific social or spiritual status. From ordinary guests to honored elders and spiritual leaders, everyone has a designated space, reinforcing the house’s function as a stage for social interaction and ceremonial life.

Even the ornamentation has meaning: on the roof sits a carved floral crown—symbolizing purity, harmony, and noble values. Inside, spaces such as the Kekijing rooms serve different relational purposes, with the innermost reserved for the most revered guests and family leaders. The Rumah Limas is both home and hall, sanctuary and symbol—a material expression of social balance, heritage, and respect for lineage.

Perhaps the most unique is the Rumah Rakit, a floating house built on the water’s surface. These homes trace their origins to the era of the Srivijaya empire, and in more recent history, to the socio-political dynamics under the Palembang Sultanate. Historically, ethnic Chinese settlers, barred from living on land, began constructing homes along the riverbanks. Thus emerged a culture of adaptation and resilience, where the river was not a barrier but a life-giving pathway. In Bangka Belitung—where nearly 40 percent of the territory is covered in water—such houses reflect both necessity and reverence for the aquatic environment.

Constructed from bambu manyan, a large, buoyant bamboo species, and tied with rattan and palm leaves, these homes float gently with the tide. Their design is humble: two rooms—one for rest, one for daily activities—and an outdoor kitchen. But their simplicity belies their wisdom. The Rumah Rakit symbolizes coexistence with nature, mobility, and the sacred interdependence between land, water, and livelihood. Moreover, the decision to build such a home is never taken lightly; it involves discussion and agreement among family and neighbors, embodying the communal ethos of mutual respect and collective decision-making.

Across all three types, the traditional houses of Bangka Belitung reveal a cosmology rooted in relationship—with the land, with each other, and with the unseen. Built using natural materials, arranged with social intent, and imbued with symbolic geometry, they are not just homes—they are philosophies made tangible. In a world increasingly divorced from the rhythm of nature and ancestral knowledge, these structures remind us that architecture can still be sacred, that space can still be soulful, and that tradition is not a relic, but a compass.

Reference:

PDBI – Arsitektur Bangka Belitung