Tiang Seri Shapes: A Reflection of Status in Negeri Sembilan

In the construction of the Malay Vernacular architecture, Tiang Seri plays a significant role in both the architectural and cultural aspects of the building. It is present in the design and construction of most Malay traditional houses, palaces, and mosques that were built in the period, including the Malay traditional houses in Negeri Sembilan. Nowadays, with the advances in technology and building materials, Tiang Seri is no longer used and is deemed a forgotten practice in the construction of residential houses. In addition, the existing traditional houses are facing extinction along with the Tiang Seri inside it. A study on an aspect of Tiang Seri is crucial for the conservation effort to document the Tiang Seri. This study aims to document the different shapes of Tiang Seri in traditional houses in Negeri Sembilan, analyse their correlation with the social status of house owners, and evaluate their cultural significance for heritage conservation. Qualitative research is employed with a literature review of related studies, a few case studies, and structured interviews to find the shapes of Tiang Seri in the Negeri Sembilan Malay traditional house. The result shows a variety of shapes of the Tiang Seri, which are Belah 4, Belah 6, Belah 8, and a combination of both Belah 4, and Tiang Bulat. Interestingly, the shapes are directly affected by the status of the owner, proving that it is essential to conduct further studies on Tiang Seri to prevent it from being lost to younger generations.