Balaksuji is the staircase in front of Rumah Panggung Betawi.[1] Among the Sundanese people, this kind of ladder is nicknamed "golodog".[2]
In Betawi culture, balaksuji is considered to have a philosophical element. Balaksuji is believed to be a means to ward off disaster. In addition, before entering the house through balaksuji, Betawi people must first purify themselves by washing their feet. The purpose is so that the owner is already in a "holy" and "clean" state when he enters the house.[3][4] Balaksuji itself is a figure of speech that means "cooling area".[5]
Nowadays, balaksuji is no longer built in modern Betawi houses because it is considered troublesome. However, "balaksuji" can still be found in many mosques built in Betawi architectural style.[6][7]
- ^ Swadarma & (2014), p. 66 : “Balaksuji is the staircase construction of a Betawi house ...".
- ^ Swadarma & (2014), p. 22 : “In West Java, this kind of ladder is called golodog. The golodog steps are usually no more than three pieces, with the function of cleaning the feet of people who will climb into the house ...".
- ^ Wijayanti, dkk & (2019), p. 52. :" Balaksuji itself has a philosophy as a household, and also as a means to reject disasters and purify oneself before entering the house ...".
- ^ Swadarma & (2014), p. 66 : “In a Betawi house on stilts, anyone entering the house must go through the stairs first ...".
- ^ "Rumah Panggung Betawi". kemdikbud. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ Haryanti, Rosiana (11 July 2018). "Arsitektur Rumah Betawi, Sarat Nilai Filosofis". Kompas.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ Swadarma & (2014), p. 66 : “Balaksuji is now rarely found in traditional Betawi houses and has been converted to stairs in mosques ...".