Malay ‘kampong’ house

Title
Malay ‘kampong’ house
Year/Period
1960s-1980s
Region
Singapore
Dimension
Object size: 10.3 x 14.6 cm
Accession No.
2008-04988

The basic form and structure of most Malay ‘kampong’ (village) houses are similar. Two distinctive features of a Malay ‘kampong’ house are the high, sloping roof with gables at both ends and the raised floor. The roof is covered with ‘attap’, which is made from palm fronds. The raised floor facilitates ventilation, secures the house against attacks by wild animals, and helps the inhabitants to cope with flash floods as well as ground dampness caused by the hot and humid tropical climate with heavy rain.