The Kinship and Rank in the Layout of Bawean Traditional House, East Java

Abstract

Traditional houses in many regions of Indonesia reflect a strong attachment to family and community. Each region has its own specific terms and structures for social organization. This social organization and kinship are evident in the traditional houses across Indonesia, including the traditional houses of Bawean on Bawean Island, East Java. The Bawean traditional house integrates kinship into its layout, with each house’s design reflecting the values and virtues of the family group it belongs to. The Bawean traditional house has a distinctive plan and layout that sets it apart from other traditional houses in Indonesia. A unique feature of these houses is the presence of a granary called Dhurung in the front area of each unit. This paper will explore the role of kinship in shaping the layout of Bawean traditional houses. We collected qualitative data through observation and interviews with local resident who continue to live in traditional Bawean houses.  The findings presented in this paper contribute to the classification of kinship in traditional houses on small Indonesian islands, specifically Bawean Island.