Indonesian ancestors really deserves thumbs up. A lot of knowledge about the way they live and proved still useful today. One of them is Uma Lengge Bima, a traditional custom house created by Bima tribe that existed since several hundred years ago.
Until now Uma Lengge can still be found in three areas of Bima, namely District Wawo, Donggo District, and District Lambitu. The houses stand proudly in a separate area of the resident's residence, but are often visited by tourists because the location is indeed interesting.
Already Moved Function
Uma Lengge comes from the word uma which means house and lengge meaning conical. This traditional house is part of the cultural heritage of the Bima ancestors. The main material comes from wood, has four pillars, as well as a roof formed from reeds,
This traditional building consists of three floors. Receiving guests and performing traditional ceremonies performed on the first floor, the bed and kitchen are on the second floor, while the last floor is used as food storage.
As the times progressed, the people of Bima no longer use Uma Lengge as their original function. Many people choose to live in a larger conventional home. Nevertheless, the traditional house building is maintained only its function is now fully used as a rice granary.
The Last Food Defense
Not just a regular rice barn, this traditional house symbolizes the intelligence of the community in managing natural resources. For example, Maria Village in Wawo District, one of three areas in Bima that still has Uma Lengge complex. The soil in their place is not very fertile and the rice can only be harvested once a year.
People also have to rack my brain how to arrange rice reserves for enough for 12 months. This is where they then try to exploit the existence of Uma Lengge. Deliberately placed away from the house area of the population so that in case of fire disaster, their food supply does not go away just like that.
In addition, because the location is quite far away, housewives in the village of Mary is also required clever to regulate their household needs. If you see the neighbors too often take the rice, they will be considered a wasteful family.
It is a Tourist Attraction
The Uma Lengge complex has also recently brought additional benefits to the surrounding community. Because of its beauty attract many tourists from various corners to come to visit.
There are many things to do here. Visitors can admire the traditional house form here while taking pictures. If interested, can also learn the process of drying the grain and store it into the granary.
August is the best moment to visit. Residents will usually hold a special festival with a variety of dances, traditional ceremonies, harvest parties, and folk games. In addition there will be renovation and cleaning of traditional houses.
Incoming visitors are free of charge. It's just that tourists usually give donations seikhlasnya to help the development of the area around the village.