Getting Rare ~ A 1831 House

When I was at the Melaka Golf Gallery last Sunday, I pickup this pamphlet.  It read like this ... This traditional house is believed to be built by the Penghulu Abdul Majid, a tycoon whose descendant came from Palembang in 1831. Penghulu is a headman who is a 'small ruler' and is highly respected by the society at that time.

His traditional house is built without using nails and has six main portions: porch, verandah, the main house, bedroom, home center and a kitchen. His house also has two lofts that is specially reserved for the women's use.

This house is the administrative center of the village and is often used as a meeting place to discuss community affairs. Three generations of the village headman had inhabited this house; Penghulu Abdul Majid 1831-1834, Demang Abdul Ghani bin Abdul Majid 1834-1934 and Penghulu Mat Natar bin Abdul Ghani 1934-1978.

There is a space known as the front foyer normally available only in the home of dignitaries. Foyer is used to hold discussion with other visiting dignitaries.

The main house acts as the main space reserved for selected guest only. There is an antique dais likely as throne functioning as an official discussion area and a bedroom reserved for the head of the family. The upper loft is a personal space specially for women. There is an open platform which has many uses such as for drying paddy, to hold back rain water and so on.

There is also a resting space and a private bedroom reserved specially for women for their daily routines. The rectangular-shaped kitchen has the influence of Dutch architecture.

This house is rich with carvings of various hidden meanings implied in the patterns of flora and fauna. Chinese cultural elements are clearly highlighted with motifs of 'Ang Leng' (Red Dragon Sculpture) which is associated with wealth and power while 'Kim Leng' (Golden Dragon Sculpture) is associated with control and protection. Six-pointed star carved pillar symbolizing faith depicting how the owner appreciated the application of Islamic values in life. Chinese handwriting carvings which mean everlasting also proved rich motifs in this house.

The decorative tiles is believed to have been originated from Italy and China while on the stairs, it highlight cultural characteristics of the Malay community for accommodation of guests. The head of the stairs is made of concrete pillars which resemble the hat of a British soldier.

High quality woods from the types; merbau, teak and cengal are widely used in this house. Chinese tiles is used on the roof which is from textured concrete form of 'singgora' There are two water tanks for the use of cleaning the feet in front of the stairs with pineapple and pumpkin motifs which means a flow of luck or 'ong lai'

Courteous as the Malays, discuss as the English is the motto Demang Abdul Ghani in carrying out his responsibilities as a leader of his time.

I am looking forward to see this house in real. When I have done that, I will share more here. Just click HERE for more.

...for more information...

Perbadanan Muzium Melaka
Komplek Warisan Melaka, Jalan Kota 75000 Melaka Bandaraya Warisan Dunia
Telephone 606-2826526 or 606-2811289 Facsimile 606-2826745
email admin@perzim.gov.my 
website www.perzim.gov.my 

Gallery Of Demang Abdul Ghani