Minangkabau

Rumah Gadang (Minangkabau: 'big house') - or more correctly rumah bagonjong - are the traditional homes (Indonesian: rumah adat) of the Minangkabau. The architecture, construction, internal and external decoration, and the functions of the house reflect the culture and values of the Minangkabau. A rumah gadang serves as a residence, a hall for family meetings, and for ceremonial activities. With the Minangkabau society being matrilineal, the rumah gadang is owned by the women of the family who live there - ownership is passed from mother to daughter. The highest elevated part on the end of rumah bagonjong is called anjuang, it is the most important and revered room, reserved only for honorable guest, the elder, or for wedding bedroom during wedding ceremony.

The houses have dramatic curved roof structure with multi-tiered, upswept gables. According to Minangkabau tradition, the roof shapes was meant to mimic the horn of buffalo. Shuttered windows are built into walls incised with profuse painted floral carvings. The term rumah gadang usually refers to the larger communal homes, however, smaller single residences share many of its architectural elements. Shuttered windows are built into walls incised with-profuse painted floral carvings.

The term rumah gadang usually refers to the larger communal homes, however, smaller

single residences share many of its architectural elements.