Rumah gadang is the traditional house of Minangkabau, an ethnic group indigeneous to the

highlands of West Sumatera.Its architecture, construction, decoration and functions of the

house reflect the culture and values of Minangkabau people. The house is largely constructed
of wood and has a dramatic curved roof structure. Every
 aspect of the house has a symbolic significance related to Minangkabau belief and law.
The upward-curved finials (gonjong) on the peaks of the roof, said to represent buffalo horns,
symbolize reaching heaven. The walls on the front and back elevations (dindiang tapi),
symbolize the strength and utility of the community. The arrangement of rooms in the house
is seen as a reflection of a woman’s life pattern, forming a journey from the central post to
the public area (anjuang), the bedrooms (biliak) and lastly to the kitchen.
Minangkabau people traditionally embellish the wooden walls, pillars and ceilings with bas-
relief carved wooden motifs that reflect and symbolize their belief. The motifs consist of
profuse floral designs based on a simple underlying geometric structure and they are similar
to those of the Minangkabau woven songket textiles.