State-owned Enterprises, Foundations Participate in Rumah Gadang Restoration

Padang Aro, (Antaranews Sumbar) - A number of foundations and state-owned enterprises participate in the restoration of Minangkabau traditional house (Rumah Gadang) in Thousand of Gadang Houses Area (Kawasan Saribu Rumah Gadang) in South Solok District, West Sumatra.

One of the foundations that participated in the restoration in 2017 traditional village is Tirto Utomo Foundation.

The inauguration of the renovation was done by Regent of South Solok, Muzni Zakaria on Sunday (April 22).

"We are grateful that many people are concerned about Minangkabau custom and culture, especially through the revitalization program of Thousand of Gadang Houses," Muzni Zakaria stated.

The Tirto Utomo Foundation, founded by Lisa Tiro Utomo, the founding wife of PT Aqua Tirta Investama, Tirto Utomo, helped to revitalize a dyuk owned by Datuk Lelo Panjang, a Malay tribe that was last renovated in 1905.

While the activist of West Sumatra tourism, Yulnofrins Napilus said that Tirto Utomo founder, Lisa Tirto Utomo wants the gadang house to be back to normal without leaving the nobility.

"Even she is committed to make gadang as the most beautiful one after the revitalization, Lisa wants it to be an art training center and can be used for public activities," he explained.

To work on the revitalization of gadang house is entrusted to senior carpenters, Katik Yat (64) who has often restored Minangkabau traditional house in West Sumatra. He was assisted by six people.

Katik Yat said based on his experience, it takes at least up to eight months to restore a Minangkabau traditional house.

"Depending on the availability of the material, if the material is complete and available, God willing, it can be faster," he said.

He added for the wood used, it only uses meranti wood, bayua wood, and marantik stone as a restoration materials. (cha)