What Do They Do?

The diagram below shows activites that people done in each area of Rumah Perlis. Spaces in the house are multifuctional. The use of space changes at different times of the day and year. There are minimal partitions or interior walls in the house, allowing for the flexible use of space and for good ventilation and lighting of interiors. Minimal furniture is use and most activities are done on the floor.

Basically, the house can be divided into the front and back portions which are centered around the serambi and the selang respectively.

At the entrance of the house, stairs lead up to a covered porch called the anjung. the porch acts as a good transition place between the public and the private domains. It also acts as an important vocal point for the entrance. Unfamiliar visitors and guests are entertained here. It is also the favorite place for the house occupants to rest, chat, and watch the ongoing surroundings and passer-byers in the village.

From the anjung, one enters into a serambi or rumah ibu which is the core area. This is the largest area in the house where most activities are conducted. Sleeping, sewing, praying, ironing, studying and even feasting which is held during weddings and ther festivals, all ocur here. The importance of serambi is expressed by its floor level being the highest in the house.

The selang or the dapur, is always situated in the back of the house, and is on the lowest floor level. modern kitchens in new malay houses are often dropped to the ground level where floors are cemented. Preparation of food, cooking, eating and washing are al done here. The womenfolk also often group here to chat.