Chapter 3 The Malay House

Hi guys, welcome back to this journal.  If you have visit our blog before, you'll realized that we have just undergone a huge makeover for our page layout! surpriseee~  due to some technical difficulties, the former link from wordpress will no longer be updated. Hence, this blog here will be our new home. so, do come back and visit.

Anyways, for this week's chapter, we'll talk about The Malay House. This is actually one of the highlights of our journey. This malay house that we are going to talk about, was where we met the cute Mak Cik, who was so kind and friendly. She was the main contributor to all these information that we managed to get. Her generous sharing has helped us tremendously in understanding and learning about the traditional malay house. We believe that no one can tell a better story than her as she has been living there for more than 50 years now. We can almost see her eyes sparkling as she brought us on a time machine travelling back to the days where she ran around the house as a kid. From her stories it is not difficult to tell that many wonderful memories were made in this simple yet special wooden house.

an illustration of a typical traditional malay house environment

Now, come join us on the time travelling journey too as we bring you back to where it all began.....right before the construction of a malay house.....

Traditions and customary are one of the important belief by the Malay as they held strong to their faith. Therefore, it also affects the construction of a traditional Malay house to ensure the house stood firm and the prosperity of the occupants.

Back in the olden days, most of the Malay settlers had chose to reside by the rivers. As the river provides clean source of water and food, as well as a spot for doing laundry and washing kitchen utensils. Hence, the Malay traditional houses are built close to the river.

Rivers of Dusun Tua

Before the site is chosen, the people have to consider the risk that they may encounter which is flooding. Due to the monsoon rain in Malaysia, the river may overflow and flood the village. Therefore, the chosen site for construction will be studied on the account of the river width and depth. The site will be chosen based on advise of their parents and elders as they have more experience and knowledgable in construction. From the Malay belief, it is also advisable to avoid constructing house in valley between hills as it is believed that it is a path way for sprites such Orang Bunian and Jin. Mak Cik Norimah had previously shared her past experience with Orang Bunian where her younger brother disappeared into the woods for a day. Also, the chosen site will have to be close to their parents house as the houses will be passed down the coming generation. This shows that the Malays emphasize on family value and it is part of the way of living.

Once the site has confirmed approval by the Ketua Kampung and villagers, the owner will go through a ritual before construction. Firstly, incense or “kemenyan” is prepared by a medium and burnt around the construction site.The “kemenyan” is then burnt again after the measurement has been taken.

Illustration of Ketua Kampung preparing the Kemenyan

          

The wood and rattan from before will be planted in the middle of the proposed site. Then, a pail of water and padded dishplate will be placed on site. Prayers and incantation were read once again by the medium and the woman. At dusk the next day, the woman will measure both the wood and rattan as well as the water level. If the rattan extend over night or the pail of water overflow to the dishplate, the site will chosen for construction. Column will be erected to indicated the confirmed site.

Next, a measurement of a “depa” is taken from a female family member to determine the measurement of a rattan or better known as “rotan” among the locals. A measurement of a piece of wood of a depa is also taken.

Illustration of a measurement of a "depa"

Construction Process

The materials used in traditional Malay houses are usually those found locally in the jungles. Collecting woods was one of the main career in the village. The basic building materials are usually timber or bamboo, in which timber usually became the main structures while the bamboo is used for the walls and thatched roof. These materials actually promote coolness in the house due to its low thermal capacity. As for the structure wise, Malay house uses the post and lintel structures. Below is a rough sketch of the basic construction of traditional Malay house. Usually, certain components are first made on the ground before assembling them on site.

During those days, there weren't any nails available. Instead of the metal nails, wooden dowels were used to lock down the columns and to connect joints.  

Future Extensions

Even in the oldern days, the people has an eye at the future. Right from the beginning while the villagers first build their house, they foresee their family growing bigger and expanding. Hence, the houses are built in such a way where future extensions are possible and easy. The house is built with a smart addition system which allows it to be extended anytime, suiting the needs of each family. Below is a diagram on common addition sequences in the traditional Malay house.

Now that you've understand how a traditional Malay house is constructed, let's take a closer look into the house we visited. Here's a floor plan of the house.

Floor plan of Malay House

From the entrance porch, there's a stairs leading up to the front door. The steps act as a transition space between the public and the private area. One enters into the hanging verandah which is known as the Serambi Gantung. That is where most of the guest were entertained, that is where we were entertained as the Mak Cik sat there and shared her stories with us. It was actually really comfortable, completing with a tv set and a couple of comfortable couches. 

From there, it links to the main core of the house, which is known as Rumah Ibu. This place is the most spacious area due to its function for most of the activities of the family. From sleeping, praying, ironing, studying, feasting. Mak cik was actually sewing curtains at that area when we arrived. She was sewing them in preparation to welcome the Hari Raya festival.  

Anoxometric of a Malay house 

After the Rumah Ibu, according to the Mak Cik, the next space is Rumah Tengah, which also known as Selang. This slightly isolated space is for the woman to chit chat and socialize. However, the renovation of the house throughout the years have slightly changed its form from the traditional layout. It used to be a closed walkway, providing ventilation and lighting to the house. 

But one thing that remains is, it still leads to the kitchen on the lowest floor level. Located on the ground floor, the kitchen and the bathroom is at the lowest floor level. The kitchen is where food is prepared  The meal is then served at Rumah Ibu. Laundry and washing is also done in the kitchen. 

There are a few rooms that are connected with the Rumah Ibu. Nearest to the entrance, the first room is known as the Bilik Anak Dara. The room belongs to the Mak Cik's daughter, who is still single. Next to her room is where the Mak Cik lives. She calls it Bilik Orang Tua. not sure if that's really the term for it or she's just joking around though. 

And lastly, at the end of the house, is the Bilik Pengantin. Mak Cik's son just got married a few months ago and this room was newly added to accommodate he and his wife.