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Rumah Panggung
HISTORY & CULTURESbeginner
Definition
A vernacular house type raised on stilts above the ground, found across the Indonesian archipelago from Kalimantan to Sulawesi. The elevated floor separates living space from ground moisture, insects, and flooding, while the underfloor void provides ventilation and storage. Rumah panggung reflects an ecological logic adapted to tropical lowland and riverine environments, with stilt height in some traditions indicating household social rank.
Example
The traditional Bugis houses of South Sulawesi are raised 2–3 metres on hardwood posts, with the height of the floor above ground calibrated to the social status of the occupant — the higher the floor, the more prestigious the household.