Top Travel Destinations Traditional House "Sasadu" - Culture of West Halmahera-Wonderful Indonesia

"Sasadu" is traditional house of Sahu Tribe which can be found in West Halmahera regency, North Maluku province. Sasadu is formed of wood and woven sago leaves. This traditional house becomes a place of residents for gathering, dining, and carrying out ceremonies or celebrations.

Sasadu reflects the characteristics of Sahu Tribe: open and friendly. A building without door is a sign that anyone can enter the house, either indigenous people or newcomers from different lands will be welcomed with open arms. It also implies there is no compulsion in communication between people. All goes natural and humble.

This traditional house has six entries to in and out, though each side is not walled. Two entries for women, two entries for men, and two entries for guests. The roof of each Sasadu is carved at both ends in the shape of a ship’s bow and stern. The ridge of the roof symbolizes a sailing boat, as Sahu Tribe were traditionally a sailing tribe. A replica of a sailboat is also placed in each Sasadu, which is called kagunga tego-tego (a warship on dry land).

On the ridge of the roof, there are two spheres wrapped in fibers. These symbolize the two supernatural forces believed in by the Sahu tribe: Destruction and Protection. This house is built without a nail, but only uses natural materials and local wisdom. It is dominated by sago tree trunks as pillars and columns, woven sago leaves as the roofs. Sago tree is symbolized as tree of prosperity.

Sasadu for Sahu tribe is a form of respect for women. That is the reason why there are two tables in sasadu, one table for women in the front and another table for the men in the back. Placing women at the front table means that for Sahu tribe, women will take precedence and men always protect them from behind.

Additionally, sasadu has a lot of functions. Besides for meeting and receiving guests, it can also be used for celebrating traditional parties, such as marriages and births, which can last for seven days in a row. The dining events are usually held together with traditional dances in front of house. 

Orom Sasadu

Sahu Tribe has good farming skills. Two times a year, Sahu Tribe will hold a ritual for grateful of their rice harvest. This harvest festival is known as Orom Toma Sasadu. "Orom" means "eat", "Toma" means "at", and "Sasadu" means "traditional house". Sahu people will eat, drink and dance as the embodiment of their gratitude to the abundance that is given by God. Orom Sasadu is believed by the ancestors will make the next harvests continue to abound. 

In the past, Orom Sasadu was held for 7 days and 7 nights. The length of the ritual must be in odd numbers, i.e. 7 days and 7 nights, 5 days and 5 nights, 3 days and 3 nights, or just a day and a night. Ritual for 7 days 7 last night was held in 1963. But this time, the ritual has been shortened because now the people have to work.

There is a uniqueness in this ritual which is told by the elders. During the 7 days and 7 nights party, they never sleepy, never full even if they ate continuously, and never drunk though they drank high alcoholic drinks.

Sahu Tribe also has Tifa, a typical music instrument which made of nira wood. This instrument is hung by rope at Sasadu's pillars. The accompanied instrument of Tifa is gong, they can be played in slow, rather fast, and very fast rhythm. At a traditional feasts, poeple of Sahu Tribe, from young people to elders will dance together near the instrument.

Music Instrument - Tifa

During Orom Sasadu, both guests and the residents who participate will be given Saguer and Cap Tikus (alcoholic drinks) alternately. Uniquely, people who drank the alcoholic drinks never fight or being rude. Oppositely, they look really enjoy by singing and dancing.

Sasadu can be found in Jailolo, Sahu, and East Sahu Sub-district. People of West Halmahera are so humble to tourists.