The Characteristics and Linkages between Traditional Houses: Mandailing’s Bagas Godang and Minangkabau’s Luhak Agam in Indonesia

Abstract

At first glance, the (Batak-) Mandailing traditional house in North Sumatra—Bagas Godang—resembled the Bolon house of the Toba people and the Siwaluh Jabu house of the Karo people in appearance. However, it had a very close form to the Rumah Gadang of the Minangkabau people in Luhak Agam, West Sumatra: particularly the roof form. These similarities and differences of house forms are unique and have not been understood well. In this context, this study investigates the architectural characteristics of the Mandailing traditional house by comparing it to the Minangkabau traditional house in Luhak Agam. The study included the Bolon and Siwaluh Jabu houses as additional comparisons. The objective was to discover the linkage between the Bagas Godang house in Mandailing and the Rumah Gadang in Luhak Agam, in terms of space, form, and style. The study employed qualitative research methods and analyzed and compared them through observations, interviews, and documentation. The findings reveal that there is also a process of culture and knowledge shared among them.