THE “rumah limas” is a unique legacy of the Malay community in Johor.
Elias Robani, 47, a woodcarver in Muar who builts and repairs traditional Malay houses, learnt the trade from his father.
Elias said each traditional Malay house has it own unique identity.
The “rumah limas” of Johor is identified by the its roof, which has a long ridge and is connected with five ridge racks and installed with sharp sticks called “tunjuk langit”.
Most of the houses are built from wood and have three sections: a front porch (serambi), a main living area known as “rumah ibu”, and a kitchen at the back.
The design features traditional elements applied such as “papan pemanis”, “tunjuk langit” and “tebar layar” on the roof and windows called “sisir angin” and “kekisi tingkap”.
Male guests usual gather at the front of the house and the women at the “rumah ibu” and kitchen. – March 6, 2022.
Woodcarver Elias Robani says every traditional Malay house has it own unique identity. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkfili, March 6, 2022.Traditional Malay houses are usually decorated with wood carvings. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Most 'rumah limas' are built from wood and have three sections: a front porch, a main living area known as 'rumah ibu', and a kitchen at the back. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.
Elias Robani stands in front of the house he built himself using recycled wood, in Kampung Parit Amat, Muar, Johor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Traditional Malay houses are made from a variety of wood such as cengal, keranji, nyahtoh and meranti. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Wood dust covers the floor of Elias Robani's workshop in Kampung Parit Amat, Muar, Johor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Elias Robani goes to his workshop in Kampung Parit Amat, Muar, Johor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Wood carvings are a distinct feature of traditional Malay houses. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Elias Robani carves on doors made of nyatoh at his workshop in Kampung Parit Amat, Muar, Johor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.The 'rumah limas' of Johor is identified by the its roof, which has a long ridge and is connected with five ridge racks and installed with sharp sticks called 'tunjuk langit'. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.Traditional Malay homes occasionally incorporate modern influences such as stained glass. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.A traditional Malay house usually features a front porch for guests to gather. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, March 6, 2022.
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