We think that everyone is familiar with the Honai House in West Papua. This is a traditional house adopted from the culture of the local community. The distinctive character of the Papuan people is more prominent in this unique house.
Indonesian culture is indeed very diverse and exists in almost every sector of people’s lives. The character of each of these areas is the unique value that makes it an attraction to visit it. Including the honai house located in Papua.
This Honai house illustrates the characteristics of the Papuan people who are rich in natural resources and the need to be productive. When visiting West Papua, there is nothing wrong if you take the time to visit the village that uses this traditional house.
There are some unique values that you will realize after visiting it. Not to mention this is very suitable for the climate in the area there which is dominated by low temperatures. But this honai house is not only a place to live, there are still some cultural functions there.
The Uniqueness of Honai Traditional House for West Papua Local
In this first discussion, we will discuss what are the unique values of traditional houses that can be said to be difficult to find. Over time, local people have left this architecture by replacing it with a modern and functional one.
However, there are still people who maintain the value of this traditional house so that it can still be found today. Uniqueness, of course, can not be removed just like that. So in this house, the unique values that you can find at the Honai West Papua house are:
- Two Levels
Although if we look from the outside it is only a short building, a honai house is a house that has two levels. One more level is usually near the dome resembling a mushroom and each level is only separated by wood.
- 2.5 Meters
Continuing the points above, the honai house is a house that is only 2.5 meters high. If the average height of the Papuan people is between 1.6-1.8 meters, they will bow slightly if they want to enter the interior of this traditional West Papuan house.
- Located at the Highland
If you want to find the Honai House, it’s easier to look for it in the Puncak area. Honai houses are houses that can keep the temperature inside warm through construction materials. So it is suitable for highland areas.
- Traditional Interior
If you still want to know more about the Honai House but have not been able to visit in person, then we will describe the interior for you. This West Papua traditional house is still very traditional and does not even have any furniture at all.
- Conical Roof
About the roof, it is made with a shape resembling a mushroom. But if you look inside, it’s like a cone that isn’t very elongated. And the cone is also what allows humans to enter and live on the 2nd floor of Honai’s house.
Traditional Values in West Papua Honai
Following the culture of eastern Indonesian society, culture is something that is highly cared for so that it does not fade. If we associate culture with the Honai building structure, then we can realize the location and elements of a very diverse culture.
From the architecture, Honai is made with thatch on the roof with traditional West Papua wood as the structure. The shape resembles a mushroom with a small impression. The cultural value here is that some prohibitions must be obeyed.
Honai men and women will always be separated, even though they have become husband and wife. Honai itself is a symbol of the personality of the local community that describes the dignity and self-esteem so that the local community can always unite.
Local people regard this house as a sacred place and should not be treated arbitrarily. The elements of Papuan culture are very closely related to this house. So they use the science of green architecture that has been used by their ancestors.
Honai house function for West Papua
Regarding the function of the traditional house, its basic function is as a place to live. As a place for the men to rest and will be separated from the women. Even though the height is only 2.5 meters, the other functions are very diverse for culture.
This is a place to warm up for the peak visitors who feel cold. The wooden and thatched structure makes the room warmer. The Honai house will also be a place for learning for the local community because it has a broad impression and does not need to be high.
In addition, pure smoking will also be carried out in Honai, especially if it is aimed at cultural activities. So with this function, not much furniture can be found. Only all the essentials fit into the main function of this house.
Papua’s cultural values are very diverse and difficult to eliminate, and it is better if they persist. For people who want to visit here, you should first understand what the traditional and cultural laws of West Papua are so as not to violate the values of their ancestors.
