Natah
Definition
The central open courtyard of a traditional Balinese house compound, around which all pavilions (bale) are arranged. The natah is not merely a residual space between buildings — it is the spatial and cosmological heart of the compound, used for ceremonies, daily offerings, and family gatherings. Its orientation follows the Balinese cosmic axis of kaja (towards the mountain, sacred) and kelod (towards the sea, profane), which governs the placement of every pavilion around it.
Example
In a traditional Balinese compound in Ubud, the natah is a swept earth or grass courtyard roughly 8–12 metres across, with the family temple (sanggah) at the kaja-kangin (sacred northeast) corner, the main sleeping pavilion facing the natah, and the kitchen at the kelod (southern) end.