I will miss this "TANGGA" a.k.a steps / stairs leading up to the main entrance of the house. Typical Melaka houses are well-known for their "TANGGA", some more ornate than mine above. Although the building is made of wood, the steps are of concrete and are decorated with colourful tiles and beautiful designs. The above was designed by my late Mother. I'm so sad it has to make way for renovation. Many a happy moment was spent at the Tangga, the most photogenic part of the house. Friends and family would pose by the steps because it was so special. I managed to dig into several old albums and found the following photos - just a few I'm sure. These were taken at different periods of time. People come and go, little babies are Mummies now!
Family group photo taken many, many moons ago in front of the TANGGA.
Family group photo taken many, many moons ago in front of the TANGGA.
Some of my students came a-visiting in 1973.
So sad to see you go . . .
So sad to see you go . . .
6 comments:
Nazli, If it is not too late, you should keep the tangga. It is part of the tradition of the Malay home of yesteryear. Be creative and I know you are and built around it. Remember it could be even in the house if you are expanding the front part of your house. It regrettable if you remove this piece of history. Take care.
It's a relief to learn what motivated your previous piece is the remodelling of your house, as sad as it must be for you to lose that connection with your past.
The pictures of your "Tangga" revived my own memories of my early years in Trinidad when most houses there looked very much like yours, even to those front doors and the fretted wood, and families regularly sat on those front steps to watch the world go by, enjoy the cool evenings or pose for photographs too.
Salam Puteri Hang Li Poh
Alahai, sayangnya! Spt kata Pak Idrus, tak mungkinkah diselamatkan? Semoga punca perosak dapat dipunahkan supaya struktur yg baru tidak terancam kemudian. Insya Allah.
Dear Pak Idrus,
I understand your concern for tradition and appreciate your suggestion. I've long thought about it but sentiments aside, one has to be practical.
Hi Louise,
Thanks for the additional information. There seems to be no time now for families to sit on the front steps and watch the world go by. So my 'TANGGA' has to go!
BTW, I'm a silent reader of your postings - always enjoy reading them, sometimes chuckling at your funny commentaries. Keep going!
Salam Pak Temuk,
Berapa berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul. Memang sedih yang amat sangat kerana akan kehilangan satu pautan sejarah. Tapi apo nak dikato . .
Bila rumah dapur dah dibuat turun ke bawah sepuloh tahun dahulu, nampaknya tetamu dan sanak saudara yang datang rasa malas nak naik ke atas. Jadi bahagian atas kurang digunakan. So dah tak paraktikal.
Terima kasih kerana ambil berat.
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