Longhouses in Sarawak- Evidence of Ancient Architectural Excellence by Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Longhouses are ancient residential structures which were usually constructed with the use of wooden material. Evidence of such houses has been found in various parts of the world such as Europe, Asia and North America.

Structurally, these houses consisted of one large living area, as the purpose of these houses was to provide shelter from the forces of nature and animal attacks. Native Americans and several Asian tribes were able to perfect the art of building longhouses which were remarkably sturdy and long lasting. Some of these houses are quite amazingly similar to modern residential designs showcasing the architectural prowess of these ancient civilizations.

If you are interested in learning more about the architectural talents of the ancient natives that occupied Sarawak, you should definitely make the time to pay a visit to Sarawak Cultural Village, which is home to some of the most amazing longhouses ever built. These houses are testament to the innovative thinking of the natives and the engineering skill which they perfected mainly through trial and error. The Bidayuh Longhouse which was built with the use of bamboo is one of the residential structures that you will come across while at the Sarawak Cultural Village. Visitors will be able to see amazing carvings, musical instruments and much more while exploring the interiors of the houses.

The Iban Longhouse is built on stilts which protect the interior from floods and animal raids. Built by wood and held together with strong creepers, these houses are structurally quite sound and have been known to exist for several years, if not more. The Orang Ulu Longhouse, one of the tallest of its kind, can also be found at the Sarawak Cultural Village. As the Orang Ulu tribesman lived near riverbanks their houses needed to be elevated from the ground to ensure that an increase in water level will not affect them.

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