'TAKE AWAY' MELAKA MALAY TRADITIONAL HOUSE

By Mohamad Bakri Darus

MELAKA, Malaysia, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- For many among the tourists who visited the
world heritage city Melaka, the Malay traditional houses are sure to attract
their attention.

Chances are, they would be fascinated by the design of these wooden houses
complete with their veranda and roof, distinct features when compared to the
modern dwellings in this city.

These Malay houses are known for its curving tile-clad and stone-made staircase
that further enhanced the house's unique architecture particularly its 'serambi'
(veranda) portion.

Usually the house has 12 to 16 pillars, with three main parts -- veranda, main
house and kitchen.

UNIQUE HOUSE

Over time, extinction is threatening these houses and today the 'survivors' only
are located in places like Kampung Morten, Kampung Pengkalan Batu and Bukit
Palah as many have opted for modern living.

The existing traditional Malay houses exhibit landscapes that have features
underlined and governed by the Preservation and Conservation of Cultural
Heritage Enactment 1988 (Amended 1993) under the auspices of the Melaka Museum
Corporation (Perzim).

The move is to conserve and preserve the Malay arcituecture for the benefit of
tourists.

For carpenter Osman Husin, the Malay traditional houses have become a source of
inspiration for him that made the 59-year-old man has focused his skills into
making miniature replicas of the structure.

These miniature Malay houses have proven to be a hit among tourists who bought
them as gifts and souvenirs.

He has been doing the business for three years and the response received is
'simply great'.

MINIATURE REPLICA

Osman is from Kampung Melaka Pindah, Alor Gajah, and his handiwork received warm
response when displayed at expositions and carnivals in the state.

"There are government agencies and private sector firms that bought these
miniature replicas to be displayed as office decoration or souvenirs for their
functions", he said.

Osman's skills offer two models of these replicas. one with a single roof and
the other, with two roofs. The price varies from RM350 to RM600 each.

"I use wood, plastics, fibreglass, nails and paints to make these models", Osman
said, adding that he needs two to three weeks to complete a model of the Melaka
traditional ouse.

Each of the model comprises, among oters, the stone staarcase, veranda, porch,
main hall, dining room and kitchen.

"For the house model with one roof, the length is 12 inches long and 12 inches
wide at the height of 13 inches. The measurement of the two-roof model is 14 x
12 x 13 inch," explained Osman who learned carpentry from his elder brother Mohd
Sharif, 70.

Osman grew up in a Malay traditional house that still stands today at Pengkalan
Rama Pantai here (the house is occupied by his brother).

His appearance with the replica models of the traditional houses at the Felcra
Berhad Designing Carnival 2010 here had attracted public attraction.
(US$1=RM3.17)
-- BERNAMA