Traditional House of BATAK TOBA - Samosir Island, INDONESIA

The Indonesian island of Sumatra is the sixth-largest island in the world. The rich ethnic diversity and historical heritage in Sumatra are reflected in the architecture of the island. Batak Toba culture centres on Lake Toba - the largest volcanic lake in the world and the sacred island of Samosir that lies within it. I was very pleased to have met a wonderful guide in the village called Ambarita known for its ancient courtyard in a beautiful setting of traditional Batak houses. What I love about Toba houses is the cosmological order represented in a variety of religious art forms.

The gable ends of traditional houses, for example, are richly decorated with the cosmic serpent Naga Padoha carved in wood or in mosaic, lizards, double spirals, female breasts, and the head of the singa, a monster with protruding eyes that is part human, part water buffalo, and part crocodile or lizard. Even the layout of the village symbolises the Batak cosmos. Many of these symbols found in wooden sculptures are magic signs or fertility symbols, such as female breasts. Other symbols of Batak mythology include the baringin or banyan tree as the cosmic tree uniting the levels of the Batak cosmos, the hornbill, aboriginal boy-girl twins, star constellations, magic numbers, and the magic colours red, white, and black. Besides the traditional houses, these symbols are found on textiles, funerary masks, boats with hornbill figureheads, the wooden staffs of datu, and megalithic monuments.

Traditional houses of Batak Toba are made up of three sections. A substructure of large wooden pillars resting on flat stones protects the structure from rising damp. The substructure is strengthened by beams mortised into the piles which double as night stalls for cattle. The large steeply-pitched saddle back roof dominates the structure. The roofs are traditionally thatched, and with no internal roof trusses they provide a large internal space. Sharply projected triangular eaves and gables overlap all around the substructure. The living area, which is supported by lateral and transverse beams, is small and dark. Light enters through a small window in each of the four sides. The inhabitants spend most of their time outdoors and the house is largely used for sleeping. An attic space is provided by a flat wooden ceiling over the front third of the living area. Family heirlooms and sometimes shrines are stored here. Traditionally, the Toba Batak would cook over a hearth at the front of the living room making the living area smoky. With recent changes in hygiene practises, the kitchen is now often in an extension at the rear of the house.

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Other Videos recorded in Indonesia:

Stone Chairs AMBARITA VILLAGE - Execution Site of SIALLAGAN KING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7jIXaQVPqA&t=16s

At the Art Cafe Aras with Aras Parura, Toraja SULAWESI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnJ-0POGhYQ&t=360s

At the New House Ceremony with Daud Manggalatung , Toraja SULAWESI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN0GD6jIiOc&t=917s
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Видео Traditional House of BATAK TOBA - Samosir Island, INDONESIA канала DesignersAtelier