Balairung
A balairung is a village hall of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It has a similar architectural form to the [[[rumah gadang]]] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), the domestic architecture of the Minangkabau people. Whereas a [rumah gadang] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is a proper building, the [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is a pavilion-like structure used solely for holding a consensus decision-making process in the Minang society.
Etymology
According to the Minangkabau Dictionary, a [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is a building where a decision-making consensus is held, led by the chief ([penghulu] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help)) of the adat society ([ninik mamak] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help)). [Balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is derived from the word balai ("pavilion") and rung ("building"), referring to the traditional pavilion-like wooden architecture of the building.[1]
The term [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) has been incorporated into the Indonesian language in general. The Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language defines the [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) as a balai ("pavilion") or a large [[[pendopo|pendapa]]] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) where the king meets with his people (bangsal kencana is the Yogyakarta-Surakarta equivalent). In modern times, any kind of hall was named [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), e.g., the [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) building of the University of Indonesia, which is the main hall of the university and the largest building in the campus.[2]
Architecture
A balairung has the same form as a [[[rumah gadang]]] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), employing a dramatic curved roof structure with multi-tiered, upswept gables. The walls (if they exist) of a [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) are similarly decorated with carvings of painted floral patterns. Also similar to a [rumah gadang] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is that the [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is designed as a raised stage house, supported by posts.[3]
The main difference between a [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) and a [rumah gadang] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is that the layout of the interior is not divided into rooms; instead, it is designed as one room as a whole used for a communal function. Consequently, a [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) lacks panels for the door and shutters for the windows. Many [balairungs] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) do not have a wall at all.[4] With no wall, more people can join the meeting from the outside of the [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help).[4] Access to a [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is provided by a single portal in the middle of the building, linked to the ground with a staircase.[3]
A [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) may be built with an [anjung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), a kind of raised platform at the two ends of the [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) building. This raised platform is where the [penghulu pucuak] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) should be seated.[4] Some [balairungs] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) are built with the floor situated at the same level, lacking the [anjung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help). In other types of [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), such as the [balairung koto piliang] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), the middle part of the building contains no floor, allowing the horse of the [penghulu] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) to pass through. The part where the floor disappears is known as [labuan gajah] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help).[4]
Function
The [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is a wooden building where the group of chiefs, or [penghulu] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), collected under the name of [ninik mamak] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help), leading a meeting to solve village affairs. According to its function, a [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) can be divided into two types: the [balai saruang] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) and the [balai pasujian] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help). A [balai saruang] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) is used to hold meetings which resolve disputes or give punishment to a person. The [balai pasujian] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) (a pavilion to prepare) is a platform where a mutual consultation is held before implementing new laws in the village.[5]
A [balairung] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) can only be built in a village that has already received the [nagari] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ind (help) status (administrative village). Therefore, the balairung acts as a kind of town hall for the village.[4]
See also
References
Citations
- ^ Mas'oed Abidin 2005, p. 85.
- ^ Balairung from Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia
- ^ a b Syamsidar 1991, p. 50.
- ^ a b c d e Syamsidar 1991, p. 51.
- ^ Syamsidar 1991, p. 49.
Cited works
- Mas'oed Abidin (2005). "Balairung". Ensiklopedi Minangkabau. New York: Pusat Pengkajian Islam dan Minangkabau. ISBN 9789793797236.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Syamsidar (1991). Arsitektur tradisional daerah Sumatera Barat [Traditional Architecture of West Sumatra] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan, Direktorat Sejarah dan Nilai Tradisional, Proyek Inventarisasi dan Pembinaan Nilai-Nilai Budaya.