How many people were involved in moving the 80-year-old house?

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150 Individuals Participated in Relocating the 80-Year-Old Wooden House

A total of 150 people, comprising villagers and university students, were involved in the effort to move an approximately 80-year-old wooden house in Kampung Labu Kubong, Kuala Kangsar. The relocation, undertaken to revive a traditional practice, saw the solid wood structure, weighing around six tonnes, transported approximately 150 metres over a period of about five hours. This initiative aimed to provide younger generations with hands-on experience of a custom that is seldom practised today due to the prevalence of brick construction.
The Relocation Effort and its Purpose

The significant undertaking to move the approximately 80-year-old, six-tonne wooden house was primarily motivated by a desire to preserve and reintroduce a fading Malay tradition. Organisers stated the activity was designed to allow younger people to witness and participate in the process of lifting and carrying traditional wooden dwellings, a practice Meor Samsudin Abu Hassan, aged 60 and one of the organisers, recalled last seeing in the 1960s. The house itself had been abandoned for approximately two decades.
Traditional Methods Employed for the Move

The relocation employed traditional methods, utilising bamboo and pinang tree trunks lashed onto the house's beams to facilitate its movement. Before lifting, items within the house were cleared, and the kitchen and veranda were temporarily removed to ease the process. This careful approach ensured that the historic structure, built from solid wood and estimated to be able to last another century with proper care, could be moved without compromising its integrity.
Future Plans for the Historic Dwelling

Following the successful relocation, the 80-year-old house is slated to be transformed into a gallery. The intention is to preserve its original state as much as possible, with minimal renovation work planned. Once restoration is complete, the gallery will exhibit traditional clothing and musical instruments, offering visitors a glimpse into historical Malay culture beyond just the architecture of the house itself.
The Historical Context of Moving Houses

The tradition of moving houses within Malay communities historically served social purposes, such as maintaining close proximity between friends and families. In earlier times, villagers would move their homes nearer to those with whom they shared strong bonds, and similar practices were observed when families wanted to live closer to newlyweds. This communal spirit underscored the importance of neighbourhood ties.

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How many people were involved in moving the 80-year-old house?

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