Baruk, A Traditional House of Bidayuh in Borneo, Its Space Related to Structure

Abstract

Nowadays, not all traditional buildings are still standing firmly on. Many of them have disappeared by nature disruption or by cultural distillation. This study aims to promote Baruk spaces meaning as a traditional house of Bidayuh, who settled in the western part of Borneo Island. Through its structures have proffered the knowledge on how important to preserve Baruk (its forms, elements, and functions) as a part of Dayak cultural heritages. The method of this research based on descriptive analyses and qualitative. At first, the study investigates Baruk spaces through critical comparisons of the architectural theories and its space experiences that have delivered some conclusions depicted Baruk space structure. Then, it reviews to find actual interrelationship among function, image, code, form, and material of architectural elements. Finally, the semiology approach used to explain communication on its structure in order to get its space meaning. Investigation at the Bidayuh villages in Serian, Bau, and data collection through pictures, sketches, and some interviews within the Kampung Budaya Sarawak, have altogether contributed to this study. The study argues that Baruk, in its primary function, tends to fulfill its connotation function rather than its denotation function.

Political and Social Boundaries across Borders: Challenge and Practice Evidence from Entikong Indonesia-Malaysia Land Border, West Kalimantan

“…Economic institutions are part of social institutions. Koentjaraningrat [5] stated that financial institutions aim to meet human needs for the search for life, producing, hoarding, and distributing property and objects, namely economic institutions. Economic institutions were born when people began to hold regular exchanges of goods, divide tasks, and acknowledge the existence of demands from someone towards others [6].…”

Contemporary Bidayuh Vernacular Architecture

“…A large open verandah acts as a platform for walking within the compound and an area for harvested grains to be spread out upon when drying. (Yunitha and Guntur, 2020).…”

“…Being a spiritually and omen-sensitive people, the Baruks reflect this aspect through the separation between the upper world and the underworld via the bamboo lathe floors. Another example is by orientating the entrances into the Baruk towards the east, where good news is believed to originate (Yunitha and Guntur, 2020). The adherence to religious sanctity within the Baruk is further reflected by separating the two-floor zones within the Baruk: Akat and Akat Guna (Zaini, 2018).…”

“…Traditionally, the Baruks of the Bidayuh are located in the centre of a village, serving as its meeting place, ceremonial hall and the like (Yunitha & Guntur, 2020;Zaini et al, 2018), thus having its own rules (adat-adat) and cultural significance when it comes to its placement and orientation. However, the Baruk within this framework is more secular while respecting the traditional values the Bidayuhs hold while combining and adapting with contemporary practices the Bidayuhs now adhere to.…”

“…Furthermore, the Baruks are designed to emulate the traditional practice of always having its entrance orientated east, from where good omens are believed to originate (Yunitha & Guntur, 2020). This more restrictive design of its entrance is made simpler by having an overall symmetrical, polygonal floor plan.…”