The intangible characteristics of the two indigenous traditional dwellings in West Kalimantan

Abstract

A house has an important role in our lives. It is built to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the occupants. It is also a part of the physical culture, which in the traditional context, is a form of expression and closely linked with the personality of the community. All parts or features of a house possess valuable norms held by the community, and applied in the physical appearance of the house. In the traditional sense, the layout of and functions of the rooms in a house reflect the values, principles, and norms that are held by a family and prevail in their community. The influences of the religious concepts, their beliefs, and the community culture are expressed in the physical, architectural form of their dwellings. The belief is the benchmark to distinguish the understanding of the house elements on these two types of architecture. The rules adhered by the Malays are based on the Quran and Al-Hadith. These sources of authority regulate the two main aspects of Malay lives, i.e. human relationship with God and human relationship with the others. The positive rules to the life of the Dayaks are the customary law, customs, and traditional beliefs.