Jeffrey M. Timm
Tongkonan: Toraja Traditional House (II)
Tongkonan own the stage house that was built from a combination of sticks and sheets of board. If observed, rectangular diagram to follow the practical form of wood materials. No varnish or lacquer, all from wood uru, a type of local wood from Sulawesi. Quality of wood quite well and many see in the Toraja region.
There are three parts of Tongkonan; under (Sulluk Banua), chart (Kale Banua) and roof (Ratiang Banua). Viewed from the side view, this distribution pattern is clear darn wooden structure. In the space underneath and look at the walls and sealed the seams of the boards with a thickness of about 5-7 cm.
On the roof, the curved shape like buffalo horns. On the west and east side of the building there is a small window, where sunlight and wind flow. Tongkonan have each berkumpu on stone columns. The main column into a buffer structure of the roof edges.
There is no specific provision Tongkonan size wooden structures, all based on the availability of wood raw material in the market uru. At Kale Banua that serves as a residence, the floor consists of sheets of board, reinforced with the stage floor structure.
This section has several other functions as well as the living room dugout in celebration ceremony on the front side and a living room used as a space to place the body at a funeral. On the back side of the building there is sleeping space for family members.
In front there tongkonan rice granary, the so-called ‘grass’. The pillars of these barns are made from the stems of palms (‘Bangah’) are slippery, so the mice can not go up into the barn. At the front of the barn there are a variety of carvings, including a picture of chicken and sun, a symbol to resolve the matter.
In understanding the Toraja, tongkonan regarded as the ‘mother’, while the reed is as the ‘father’. Tongkonan works for residential, social activities, ceremonies, and the fostering of kinship. The interior of the house is divided into three parts, namely the northern, central, and south. The room in the northern part is called ‘tangalok’, serves as a living room, where children sleep, also a place to put offerings. The room middle section called ‘Sali’, serves as a dining room, family gatherings, where lay the dead, also the kitchen. The south room is called ‘sumbung’, is a room for the head of the family. The room next to the south is also considered as a source of disease.
The bodies of the dead are not buried immediately, but stored in tongkonan. Before the funeral, the corpse was regarded as ‘sick’. In order not to foul, the corpse was embalmed with traditional ingredients like formaldehyde, which is made of betel leaves and sap of the banana. If the funeral will be conducted, first corpse is stored in granaries for 3 days. The coffin of traditional Toraja called ‘erong’, shaped for the female pig and buffalo for men. For the nobility, made erong shaped custom home.
There are still many aspects of the architecture of the Toraja land, but it will be written in other articles.
Tongkonan: Toraja Traditional House (I)
The author had the opportunity visit tourist areas Tanah Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This tourist area is rich in local wisdom in the architecture of the house. If the author of its natural beauty will discuss in another blog. Here the authors focus on the architecture of traditional houses “Tongkonan“.
The traditional house “Tongkonan” means sitting together, where people confabulate or just gather.
Tongkonan home custom home should be facing north, where the door at the front of the house, in the belief the earth and the heavens and the earth is one unit is divided into 4 parts, namely:
1. The northern part is called Ulunna rainbow, the most noble.
2. The eastern part is called Matallo, where the sun rises, the place of origin or a life of happiness.
3. The western part is called Matampu, where the sun goes down, the opposite of happiness or life, ie hardship or death.
4. The southern part is called Pollo’na rainbow, as opposed to part of a noble, a place to let go of something that is not good.
Contrary to the philosophy of life that was taken from the teachings Aluk Todolo, custom home building has significance and meaning in all life processes masyarakata Toraja, among others:
1. Location of building a house that ran north-south, with the door located to the north.
2. The division of the room that has a specific role and function.
3. Placement window that has meaning and function of each.
4. Placement of wooden blocks with a certain direction, that is a staple in the north and east, south or north ends.
Toraja traditional housing construction done in mutual cooperation, in accordance with the capabilities of each family, which consists of four kinds, namely:
1. Tongkonan Layuk, where traditional house set up rules and deployment rules.
2. Tongkonan Pakamberan or Pakaindoran, implement a custom house rules. Usually in one area there are several tongkonan, which are all responsible for Tongkonan Layuk.
3. Stone tongkonan A’riri, traditional house that has no customary role and functions, just as the center of family ties.
4. Barung-barung, is a private home. After several derivatives (inherited), later called Stone Tongkonan A’riri.
Homemade Room Deodorizers
If you are into the store, the choice of air freshener is very diverse. You can choose to be hung, placed on a table or sprayed. This time I’m not going to write about the air freshener which one is best, because it’s memorable promotion of a particular brand. I would like to invite readers to try to make your own air freshener.
Actually, if we want to make air freshener is easy enough and cheap. Another important Paoint is environmentally friendly. Without aerosols.
Materials required are:
1. Citrus fruit peel
2. Esense orange
3. plastic bags
How to making
1. Separate the orange peel from the fruit flesh.
2. Drain in a way in drying in the shade. Can near clothes washer, or near the kitchen. The goal is that orange peel is not easily fragile and durable.
3. Put the dried orange peel in a plastic bag, add esense sweet orange, and then sealed plastic bag. Save for 1-2 weeks.
4. After 1-2 weeks of opening and closing plastic bag, remove the orange peel, and place in an open container. Now you’re ready for air freshener use.
Happy creative
Water Dragon Year 2012: Create a lunar atmosphere in your home so festive
In order to celebrate the Lunar (water dragon year) shades of red coloring Chinatown area. Six things this could be your inspiration when decorating a home with a typical Chinese New Year ornaments.
1. Decorate the house with the shades of red and gold ornaments, ranging from table cloths, handkerchiefs, curtains, rugs, and so on. Red and gold is a symbol of good luck and fortune.
2. Hang the red lantern as a display in the yard or side entrance.Lanterns decorate with ribbon fringe, glitter and other shiny ornaments to add festive atmosphere of the house. For the Chinese community, a red lantern is a symbol of happiness.
3. Add home decorating with something with a shape or image corresponding zodiac animal year. For example, in the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon. You can decorate the house with a statue or poster of a dragon at the door, window or wall.
4. Decorate the center of the dining table with candles in red and gold, are also typical of lunar objects such as tangerine, candied fruit or gold coins.
5. Add home decoration with flowers, such as peach flowers for good luck or chrysanthemum for longevity.
6. ’Money Tree’ so one thing at a typical Chinese New Year celebrations. You can use imitation tree, and hang a few chocolate coins and angpao at the ends of the branches using the yarn.
To be more festive atmosphere, then the living room you can add some decorations, from table cloths, handkerchiefs, curtains, rugs, and so on. Red and gold is a symbol of good luck and fortune.
Hang lanterns in red next to the entrance. For the Chinese community, a red lantern is a symbol of happiness. Add also the home decoration with flowers, such as peach flowers for good luck or chrysanthemum flowers for birthdays panjangSalah way is to rearrange the living room display. You can change the color of your living room in order to bring the atmosphere of Chinese New Year by using the color red. Because according to tradition, red is a symbol of good luck and fortune.
Can you apply the color red as main color that dominates the room. To apply, you can then smeared red color on the entire side wall obtained from the application of paint.
The atmosphere is full of energy emitted red color on the walls can you combine with a brown color that is applied to the floors, frames, windows, and doors.
To be more festive atmosphere, then the living room you can add some decorations, from table cloths, handkerchiefs, curtains, rugs, and so on. Red and gold is a symbol of good luck and fortune.
Hang lanterns in red next to the entrance. For the Chinese community, a red lantern is a symbol of happiness. Add also the home decoration with flowers, such as peach flowers for good luck or chrysanthemum for longevity.
Well, hopefully this year’s Lunar become more vibrant with new shades in your home. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Solar Cells on The Wall Paint
Entering the year 2012 many things to do, including trying to use alternative energy sources for electricity in your home or apartment. A study at the University of Notre Darme develop solar panels on the wall paint. A team of Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have made a major advance toward this vision by creating an inexpensive “solar paint” that uses semiconducting nano particles to Produce Energy.
“We want to do something transformative, to move beyond current silicon-based solar technology,” says Prashant Kamat, John A. Zahm Professor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry and an investigator in Notre Dame’s Center for Nano Science and Technology (NDnano), WHO leads the research.
“By incorporating power-producing nanoparticles, Called quantum dots, into a spreadable compound, we’ve made a one-coat paint That diesel can be applied to any conductive surface without special equipment.”
The team’s search for the new material, described in the journal ACS Nano, centered on nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide, coated with the which were the resource persons either cadmium sulfide or cadmium selenide. The particles were the resource persons then suspended in a water-alcohol mixture to create a paste.
When the paste was brushed onto a transparent conducting material and exposed to light, it created electricity.
“The best light-to-energy conversion efficiency we’ve reached so far is 1 percent, the which is well behind the usual 10 to 15 percent efficiency of commercial silicon solar cells,” explains Kamat.
“But this paint can be made cheaply and in large quantities. If We Can Improve the efficiency somewhat, We May be Able to Make a real difference in meeting energy needs in the future.”
“That’s why we’ve christened the new paint, Sun-Believable,” he adds.
Kamat and his team also plan to study Airways to Improve the stability of the new material.
ND nano is one of the leading nano technology centers in the world. Its mission is to study and Manipulate the properties of materials and devices, as well as Their interfaces with living systems, at the nano-scale.
If this product has been manufactured commercially then our dependence on electricity can be saved. Let’s wait the mass production of these paints.
CHRISTMAS TREE: CHOOSE THE ORIGINAL OR ARTIFICIAL
Jingle bells … jingle bells … jingle bell
Christmas has arrived. The flurry of home decorating begins. A variety of Christmas themes to choose from, but the main thing is decorations for Christmas trees in the family room. A place to put Christmas gifts.
Christmas trees are usually synonymous with pine trees. The use of Christmas trees has become a tradition in Europe since the16th century. But in the 18th century use of pine trees as Christmas trees began to decline, due to the difficulty of finding a suitable size pine trees for Christmas trees. Including spruce trees are slow growing, it takes 8 to 12 years to reach a size of 2meters (7 feet). This is what encourages people began to use an artificial tree.
The original pine tree has a characteristic that is a fresh scent. The rooms are decorated with original fir Christmas trees feel more refreshed. Editorial shape resembles a triangle, pursed up, so it has a beautiful shape if the ornamental. In addition more green leaves, strong branches, and has no fruit. The disadvantage can only be used for just one Christmas season, even within a month is dead. The price is relatively expensive.
Artificial Christmas trees can be shaped to fit the trend. Can be made as the original pine-covered snow. The color of the leave sand branches can be made of colorful suit our tastes. Or customize the decor. Pine Tree has no artificial scents. If you want to make it like the original fir use artificial fragrances. Choose a naturally scented fragrances. Artificial Christmas trees made of plastic so it can be used repeatedly. The price is relatively cheaper than the original Christmas tree.
For Christmas this year if you have established a type of tree will you use? The original Pine Tree or Artificial? Adjust your budget.
Merry Christmas.
Ho Ho Ho Ho.
Do You Have Problem With Rat
Mouse are the most annoying pests, he broke boards, furniture, walls and lots of things around the house. Generally we will usepoison or traps to overcome. But the use of poisons and trapshas a flaw.
The use of poison, if not the correct amount or careless to put itwould have an impact on the surrounding environment. For example contaminate food or beverage that is in the vicinity.Thus, not only eradicate the rat, but other animals can bepoisoned. Moreover, if contaminated to the children. Use ofTraps also have drawbacks. The use of traps which too often make more careful. Mouse can learn to avoid traps. The biggest obstacle of the two methods in, is a dead rat will be disposed where?
Recent technological developments allow us to repel mouse by using sound waves. This technology uses the Android-basedsoftware that is embedded in mobile phones. Rat Killer is asoftware that can be downloaded for free at the Android Market.Works by emitting waves with a frequency of 2 KHz, 5 KHz, and 8KHz. This product was developed by the Warrior.
Field trials, a cell phone equipped Rat Killer software emits acontinuous buzzing sound. Trials for 30 minutes managed to driveall the mice diarea area of 5 meters. You have a problem with Rat, try to use the software Rat Killer.
5 Concept of New Bedroom
Before Christmas many who want to rearrange the bedroom, the various concepts may have you planned. But before doing so it helps you consider a few things, such as the draft and the budget. Here I show some concept of the bedroom, please choose to suit your concept.
1. Fairy tale Bedroom 
2. Zen Bedroom
3. Box concept Bedroom
4. Boxing ring bedroom
5. Snow and Zebra Bedroom
Is one concept fits with your idea? please apply.
The Exterior Wall is Not Just a Protector of The Home
Unlike the existing wall in the house, or an interior wall that servesas a barrier between spaces, the exterior walls memilikimultifunction. Its main function as a contour-forming house, ancillarybuildings and the protector of the home, other functions toimprove the aesthetics of a house tilapia.
There are several ways to create exterior walls appear moreattractive. Like the game of color gradation. Use natural materialssuch as natural stone, cement board or use timber bertestur.
Coloring the exterior character of homes will menapilkan owners.Practically we can change their paint colors according to thepopular trend, with a relatively small cost. Whereas when we usenatural stone or wood cement board bertestur cost will be moreexpensive. But the appearance of natural stone materials andwood textured cement board is more elegant than the Cat, so itlooks more Lux.
Before you determine what materials are used to beautify theexterior walls of your home, calculate its budget carefully, consultwith experts around temapat your stay. Congratulations creative
Natural Bathroom
You get bored with the atmosphere of your current bathroom? Feeling already outdate, or just interested in interior design bathroom of Advertising. Then immediately plan to renovate it. Why? Because the bathroom is one place where people can escape from the routine work fatigue.
Interior comfortable bathroom will make a loss so relaxed. Then we soak in the tub will make a loss so fresh. Agency to be fit again. Body which causes the mind to be a clear fit.
Change bathroom paint color can transform your bathroom. Use natural colors. Find a balance the between light and dark colors. For example, if you paint the walls taupe, Enhance Them with an iron vase of orange zinnias or a black granite sink.
Natural elements the make the existing decor can fade into the background. Add a plant or a vase with an interesting flower arrangement. Put some handmade soap in large Vases. Instead of changing the counter tops I added black rubber shelf liner. This comes in a woven style That adds texture as well as color. They can be cut to fit around the sink and are easily washed in the sink. I found it in the local supermarket.
Beach mats can be hung on the bathroom walls to disguise ugly tiles. I made collages from paper grocery bags, pressed leaves, seed coverings etc. for wall art and the beach mats made a perfect background. My bathroom was starting to look like an art gallery.
Adding plants Gives your bathroom a life. Add candles for fire, a water feature, and river rocks Scattered around the sink and you will have included all of the natural elements into your bathroom.
When choosing shower curtains, bathroom towels and bathroom rugs look for cotton, jute or other natural fibers. That mix items youbuy on this lens with those you have in your home and you Will have the bathroom of your dreams.
You can combine these ideas to make your own creations. Congratulations to create.