Betang
Definition
The traditional communal longhouse of the Dayak people of Kalimantan (Borneo), raised on hardwood posts and housing an entire extended community under one roof. A betang can be 30–150 metres long and contains individual family apartments (bilik) arranged along a central communal corridor. The building's elevated structure, defensive positioning, and communal organisation reflect the social and environmental conditions of Kalimantan's forested riverine landscape.
Example
The Betang Ensaid Panjang in West Kalimantan, over 180 metres long and raised 3 metres on ulin posts, houses multiple Dayak families in individual bilik rooms opening onto a shared veranda — its scale and social organisation making it one of the most remarkable communal dwelling forms in Southeast Asia.