The Melanau Tall Longhouse (MTL), Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. International Journal of Architecture and Urban Studies, 4 (1): 1. pp. 15-22. ISSN 2147-9836 (2019)
Abstract
Situated in the remote area of Mukah in the state of Sarawak, the Melanau tall longhouse (MTL) is one of Malaysia’s least exposed examples of vernacular architecture, found only in the interior of the island of Borneo. It has its own unique historical background, different from other known traditional longhouses of other tribes in Sarawak. The building length and height can be named as parts that made the differences in the construction of this architecture, coupled with the local materials utilized for erecting these houses. A lack of architectural documentation even by its own people called for this investigation to be undertaken. This phenomenon is made worse by the demolition of these houses in place of new buildings and application of contemporary construction materials. Moreover, many were left to rot with no proper steps taken to preserve them. In the past, a Melanau hamlet usually consisted of one to three tall longhouses. These houses were always located in strategic positions; at the river mouth within the tidal zone. Such locations were taking into consideration the protection and security from pirates and other headhunter warring tribes. These settings provided resources for their economic activities of fishing and farming the sago plants. The structure of this house utilised natural materials, which are promptly accessible from the jungle. These materials are known to be solid and water resistant, such as the belian tree trunks (Borneon ironwood), nibong (palm) tree trunks and sago tree trunks, mainly for the major structural components of the houses. True to the name, this house can stand tall up to 40 feet high (over 12 meters). Even though the Melanau community has played a role in the history of Sarawak for centuries, there has been constrained fieldwork performed on their backgrounds. This paper evaluates this vernacular architecture, focusing on the cultural influences towards the sustainable architecture of the traditional tall longhouse. The research employed a qualitative method involving observation, architectural documentation of measured drawings, and interviews with the Melanau elders looking in depth at the Melanau culture in the aspect of ethnography and design experience through phenomenology methods. The findings of the investigation point towards the sustainable architectural aspect of the MTL based on the cultural influence of this unique tribe. These influences further established a set of architectural languages of the house as an outcome of this investigation that is based on the cultural and environmental factors.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Melanau Tall Longhouse (MTL), Melanau, Sustainable architecture, Vernacular architecture, Community, Cultural influence |
| Taxonomy: | By Niche > Ethnology > Melanau (Malaysian People) > Social Life and Customs |
| Local Content Hub: | Niche > Melanau |
| Depositing User: | Normah Sadaiee |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Nov 2023 09:01 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Nov 2023 09:01 |
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