Setting Transformation and the Meaning of Residence in Sentani’s Tribe Tradition

Abstract

Architecture in Indonesia acquires various forms and technology tradition which reflects a variety of cultures and the richness of history inheritance. One of conventional architecture is traditional residence. Every culture in Indonesia has its own characteristic and it is uniquely established based the identity of each tribe in Indonesia. An anthropologist, Roxana Waterson (1991), said that the various traditional residences, generally in South east Asia and especially in Indonesia, obtained the identity and the uniqueness of Indonesian culture. Moreover, they are connected with the same philosophy. They have various forms and affluent of traditional architecture. According to Rapoport (1969), traditional architecture was a masterpiece which always attempted to adapt with its upbringing and tradition based on the belief within. Rapoport also added that the residentials and houses were established domain of communication and the characteristic of cultural expression. Thus, the community could articulate their culture background, religion, social structure and social connection among the people. This study was aimed to find the transformation in meaning on traditional residence of Sentani tribe in Danau Sentani. The research was qualitative study by interpreting and representing current or continuing situation. Moreover, this research focused on case study on residential by Sentani lake, especially the residence of the chief of New Doyo tribe. The findings of this study were the remaining and the transformation purpose of traditional residence. The Qualitative methods were used to find the meaning and search for the settings-changed of the room, ornaments, and the structure of the house in a traditional home Sentani tribe in Papua province, Indonesian. The traditional residence still maintained the room setting and symbolic culture inside which furnished the family meaning and aspect and the community tradition. Furthermore, based on the community system, there was fixed-feature element of separate room between man and woman. Then, there were semi-fixed-feature element and transformation aspect in the interior and the material construction for the house. For the transformation of interior, there were few different settings in the residence applied, such as: particular room for boys and the entrance that was adjoined man’s and woman’s room. This adaptation confirmed gender issue on how the man respected the woman in Sentani’s tribe tradition.