GALLERY OF DEMANG ABDUL GHANI
HOME KITCHEN
PLATFORM
Characteristics of the traditional Melaka Malay house is clearly visible on the open platform (courtyard) functioning as a link between the main house and the home kitchen. Philosophy of Islamic architecture which limit the mixing of men and women is clearly depicted here.
The main house is usually the location for the men's activities while the middle of the house will be occupied by the women. Visiting guests will be restricted around the balcony while women guests will occupy the middle part of the house. Only relatives or close friends will be permitted to cross through the platform to the kitchen.
Toilet or bathroom is usually separated and is located outside the house in accordance with the nature of the Malays who are really concerned about cleanliness.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE HOUSE
The differences between the headman’s house and the traditional house of Melaka can be seen from the pillars and wall bricks of the house which is adorned with various sculptures of their own philosophy. Traditional motifs in the shapes of leaves and flowers are featured on the pillars and walls. Chinese influence is highlighted through carvings of dragon motifs, birds and so on.
The roof ridges show the influence of Chinese architecture with a concave end which represents the tail of a dragon. The construction of the porch with additional lobby is parallel to the main porch. The stairs look so grand as a reception symbol of the Malay tradition which greatly emphasizes relationship. The design of the stairs with attractive tiles finishing is usually associated with the status of the homeowner.
MATERIALS AND HOME FINISHINGS
Tiles finishing is widely used on pillars and front stairs. The use of three dimensional and fully textured tiles imported from China show that Demang Abdul Ghani is a rich man and has a vision.
Merbau, cengal and teak types of timber is widely used in the house while the clay roof is imported from China.
The structure of the house from selected mangrove woods is still in good condition until now. Stone pillars with colonial influences are strong with no mass deposition. Elements of garden ornaments is also featured in two ponds which are then planted with flowers.
The front yard is left open to facilitate variety gatherings held occasionally.
Penghulu Abdul Ghani is an individual who has a sharp mind and ahead of his time.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION RESEARCH
Archaeological excavation research project is carried out in July 2007 before the restoration , repair and conservation works are done by the Department of National Heritage. The works are done to record and save all the artifacts, building structures around the area before helping to settle several things before the house is restored or rebuilt.
This house is in an abandoned state and obsolete with unkept garden before Melaka State of Government and Melaka Museum Corporation (PERZIM) took over to become a gallery. With the existence of this gallery, it is hoped that it could assist the efforts of conserving the spirit of loving the country’s national heritage among Malaysians.
IMPLEMENTATION
Excavation of the selected area is recorded to preserve all the structures or artifacts found at the area. Two types of archaeological excavation research methods done are Conservation Archaeology Method (CAM) and Rescue Archaeology Method (RAM).
For Conservation Archaeology Method (CAM), only selected sections of the house will be chosen to be excavated while for Rescue Archaeology Method (RAM), excavation is done at the dumping area and around the old water pond.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH (CAM)
i) To have an overall look of the house and its relationship with the surrounding houses.
ii) To suggest aspects of conservations of structures to be maintained and for restoration works to be done in order to maintain its original state.
iii) To reconstruct exposed structures such as original flooring, basic building, drains and roof in accordance with the original landscape of the building site.
iv) To observe the condition of the different layers of soil (stratigraphy) thus relating it with the events happened at the house.
v) To identify distributions of artifacts and non-artifacts as data and evidence regarding the history of the house.
vi) To maintain, protect and restore the housing area properly in order to preserve it as historical materials so as to be remembered by the future generations.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH (RAM)
i) To preserve all artifacts (ceramics, coins, weapons, bullets, metals, glasses, etc)
ii) To restore any building structures in existence ( either relocated or rebuilt such as the gateway, foundation of building, flooring structure of drainage, drains, stairs, baseboard, etc.
BUILDING STRUCTURE
The need to see any existing structures of buildings including the original position of the basic foundation of wall structure;
i) How the height (elevation) of sea level structures and between the structures;
ii) To identify any structures which had been buriedwhether it had been built at different times be it the structures of the British era or before ;
iii) To find if there are any structures built still buried in the soils ( whether in the form of building or not );
iv) To acquire and identify ruins of structures such as walls, floors, drains, foundations, roof and gate.
v) To do reconstruction (simulation) and overall design of the wall and to see the range and magnitude based on the data from the measurements.
vi) Having identified overall function and design of exposed structures, further study of conservation aspects will be undertaken with consent of all parties.
STRATIGRAPHY
i) To see how the layers of soil such as content, texture and color of soil in all areas of excavation site.
ii) To see the extent of different layers of soils and how many layers has occurred particularly depending on the depth of the soil especially in the area containing the artifacts and structures.
iii) Looking at the original land surface after the building of the walls (if still available)
iv) To see how far the discoveries in all layers of soil could be related to the activities around the house during the time.
v) To see how far the soil is disrupted (disturbed soil) whether they are more centered around the structured or area exposed to environmental factors such as erosion, deposition, soil slippage etc.
FINDINGS
i) To find artifacts and non-artifacts around the house depending on the depth of soil and location of site to be analysed.
ii) To use findings discovered as evidence to gain information about background activities such as economic and social.
iii) To search for as many findings or materials to be used as evidence of being used together or as part of the building structures.
iv) To identify artifacts especially ceramics, coins, bullets, metals etc based on their importance of identification to be made as comparison with the archaeological sites around Melaka and other states.
v) To see how far the findings especially artifacts could be related to the layers and chronology of stratigrafi and building structures.
Archaeological excavation has succeeded in finding excellent results from the view of archaeological data yet not all findings could be given complete evaluation due to several reasons. Variety types of existing artifacts besides findings of its original structures of building clearly show the importance of this area on the aspects of heritage values and history of Gallery Demang Abdul Ghani particularly and in Malaysia at large. The findings of ancient building structures existed in the centre of the housing area depicted the same age and is contemporary with the existing house. All these give an early perception that this area is of great importance from the aspects of our national heritage relics and need to be restored.
