Symbolic Meanings of Keo Traditional House in Flores, Indonesia

Abstract

In the past, traditional house of Keo community (Sao Pu'u) had functions not only as a shelter, but it was symbols of social unity and as the center of various activities undertaken by community members. In a village, it can be found more than one unit of traditional house. The symbols are visible on the traditional houses reflect their togetherness, cooperativeness and the spirit of belonging. Keo’s traditional house has very complex symbolic meanings of leadership, magic, power, prosperity, struggle, and purity.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p500