Thousand-Legged House: The Remarkable Architecture of Papua

The Thousand-Legged House is a traditional house of the Arfak tribe in Manokwari, South Manokwari, and the Arfak Mountains of West Papua. This tribe consists of three sub-tribes: Sough, Hatam, and Meyah. The Arfak people have different names for this stilt house with numerous supporting pillars: “ig mam” in Hatam, “tu misen” in Sough, and “mod aki aksa” in Meyah.

In the Hatam-Moile language, the Arfak people call the Thousand-Legged House “ig mam.” “Ig” means house, while “mam” refers to the indigenous people from the inland regions of Papua. Therefore, “ig mam” translates to “the house of the inland people.”

Features of the Thousand-Legged House

This house resembles common stilt houses but is uniquely supported by numerous wooden pillars underneath. Each pillar has a diameter of approximately 10 cm and is placed about 30 cm apart. The wood used is sourced from the surrounding forests. The abundance of pillars gives the house its name, the Thousand-Legged House.

According to Arfak customs and beliefs, the supporting pillars and ancestral statues serve to ward off black magic and protect the inhabitants from enemies and ill intentions.

The spacious area beneath the house is often used for storing firewood and keeping livestock. The roof is made from materials like alang-alang grass, sago leaves, straw, or pandan leaves. The floor consists of woven rattan or bamboo poles, allowing fresh air to circulate through the gaps.

The walls of the house are constructed from butska tree wood, arranged in a horizontal-vertical pattern for strength. The house typically stands 4-5 meters tall, with an area of about 8×6 meters and a peak height of 4.5-5 meters.

Uniquely, the Arfak people do not use nails in construction. Instead, they tie the wooden components using rattan or tree roots. To enter the house, residents use a wooden ladder.

The house generally has separate rooms: a women’s room (beigwei) on the left and a men’s room (bietet) on the right. There is also a special room for traditional ceremonies, which lacks a woven rattan or bamboo floor so that ceremonial dances can be performed directly on the ground.

Another distinct feature is that the house has only two doors and no windows. This design enhances security by limiting entry points, protecting the residents from enemies and conflicts, which were common in Arfak society. Additionally, the elevated and enclosed structure shields inhabitants from wild animals, cold weather, and natural disasters such as storms.

Function and Current Condition of the Thousand-Legged House

The house serves multiple functions: as a residence, a place for storing valuables, a venue for celebrations, and a communal gathering space. It consists of several parts, each with a specific role, including the lina (stairs), bisai (terrace), dimbou mem (main entrance), bietet (men’s room), beigwei (women’s room), tigkoi si (for hanging Noken bags), and run ti (for storing valuables).

However, the existence of the Thousand-Legged House is gradually diminishing due to modernization. Several factors contribute to this decline:

• Transmigration: During President Soeharto’s era, the transmigration program relocated many people from Java to other islands, including Papua. The influx of newcomers led to the displacement of indigenous communities, pushing them deeper into the forests and causing the gradual disappearance of their traditional culture.
• Urbanization: The increasing deforestation due to development, illegal logging, and resource exploitation has reduced the availability of wood, making it difficult to build traditional houses. Many young Arfak people migrate to urban areas or other islands in search of better opportunities, further reducing the number of cultural practitioners.
• Modernization: With exposure to modern architecture, many West Papuans now prefer houses made of cement, sand, bricks, and metal roofing instead of traditional wooden structures.

In 2016, the Thousand-Legged House was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia in the category of traditional skills and craftsmanship. This house is not just a structure but a cultural legacy that reflects the environment, beliefs, and way of life of the Arfak community.
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