Houses in Papua, Irian Jaya

 

Papua, with its natural beauty and cultural diversity, has various unique types of traditional houses. Here are some traditional house types found in Papua:

1. Honai

• The Honai is the most well-known traditional house from Papua, especially in mountainous areas like the Baliem Valley.
• It has a round shape with a conical thatched roof.
• Honai are typically made of wood and thatch, and are designed without windows.
• There are three types of Honai:
  • Honai (men's house)
  • Ebei (women's house)
  • Wamai (livestock pen)

2. Thousand-Legged House (Mod Aki Aksa)

• This house can be found in West Papua.
• Its characteristic feature is the numerous supporting pillars, giving the appearance of having "a thousand legs."
• This house is usually used as a communal dwelling by several families.

3. Kariwari

• The Kariwari house is a traditional house used by the Tobati-Enggros people who inhabit the area around Lake Sentani.
• This house has a unique shape and is rich in cultural values.

Characteristics of Traditional Papuan Houses

• Natural Materials: Most traditional Papuan houses are made from natural materials such as wood, thatch, and leaves.
• Environmental Adaptation: The design of traditional Papuan houses is often adapted to local climatic and environmental conditions.
• Cultural Values: Traditional Papuan houses are not just dwellings, but also have deep cultural and social significance.

Changes and Modernization

• With the passage of time, some Papuan communities have begun to build houses with modern materials.
• However, efforts to preserve traditional houses continue to be made to maintain Papua's cultural heritage.