andrea design

Lumbung (Barn) Architecture has Vanished

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Lumbung is a kind of little building, like barn, where the rice put on and was built with high cultural value in each region.  The existence of Lumbung for right now was driven by the progress of era and the modern lifestyle so that the people do not care about its extinction.

From the ancient time, in the agrarian societies, including Indonesia, every tribe has a Lumbung with various forms and functions according to the cultural condition prevailing in each region.  Lumbung is believed as a prosperity and glory bearer so that the people gave a highly respected and kept the existence of Lumbung.   The architecture of Lumbung has a central function for agrarian people as an expression of thanks to Dewi Sri, the goddesses of rice that has gave a blessings with abundant harvests.

Multifunction

Lumbung at Tana Toraja

Lumbung from Tana Toraja, North Sulawesi,  Indonesia, is a personification from a husband and the center building as a wife in facing position each other.  Lumbung in Tana Toraja is called a Alang, in Toba ( South Sumatera ) is called a Sopo Bolon, in Sumbawa, West Nusatenggara is called as Donggo, in Lombok , West Nusatenggara is called a Pantek, in Java and Bali are called as Lumbung.

Lumbung at Tana Toraja

Lumbung at Lombok

Except in West Sumatera, Lumbung has many functions.  At the bottom of Lumbung’s structure, there is a kind of platform which is used to work, consultation or meeting, receiving guest, put a bodies and place for teenage or parent take a rest at noon.  The conclusion is, Lumbung has a multifunction in social, cultural and spiritual way and also as a dignity symbol of the local community.

The role of Lumbung began to decrease since there is a new policy of food trading from the government.  The function of Lumbung has been replaced by a kind of council that housed the nation rice production which of course has a different form and function.

Lumbung at West Sumatera