Although located on the island of Java, the traditional Using house holds a concept entirely different from typical Javanese houses — in building orientation, spatial layout, architectural form, and construction materials alike. Far more than mere shelter, the Using house is a blueprint of Osing cosmology: every pillar, beam, and carving carries a message about life stages, social relationships, and balance with nature.
This article looks at the three types of traditional Using houses and their philosophy, the nail-free construction technology that resists earthquakes, the spatial layout reflecting the character of its people, and the meaning behind every wood carving that adorns it.
Three Faces of the Using House: Crocogan, Tikel Balung, and Baresan
Based on their roof shape, traditional Using houses are divided into three types: crocogan, tikel balung, and baresan — and interestingly, when arranged in sequence, all three carry meanings that connect to one another, following the stages of marriage in Using custom.
Crocogan is a Using house with just one or two roof planes, typically inhabited by families of more modest economic means. Philosophically, crocogan comes from kecocogan, or "compatibility" — symbolizing the initial stage in which two people, a man and a woman, must first find compatibility before moving toward a more serious commitment. Because of this meaning, the crocogan structure is typically positioned at the front of the property and used as a guest room, in keeping with the sequence of meeting and getting to know one another on the path toward marriage.
Baresan is a Using house with three roof planes, giving it one additional room on either the right or left side, and is generally inhabited by families of middle economic standing. Its form, more complex than crocogan but not yet as complex as tikel balung, symbolizes order — the stage where a relationship begins to be considered more seriously.
Tikel Balung is a Using house with four roof planes, typically inhabited by wealthier, more prominent families. "Tikel" means "broken" and "balung" means "bone," and this roof shape symbolizes the sturdiness and stability of its owner. Within the marriage philosophy, tikel balung marks the more serious stage of commitment that follows compatibility — positioned at the center of the property, just behind the crocogan structure, and typically used as the bale, or main bedroom.
Soko Guru and the Marriage Philosophy Woven Into the Structure
At the center of the main tikel balung structure stand four large pillars called soko guru. These four pillars symbolize the four cardinal directions as well as the life balance of the house's occupants — but within the marriage philosophy, these four soko also represent the groom's two parents and the bride's two parents coming together to make a serious commitment.
The tikel balung structure carries additional layers of meaning through its connecting elements. The jait, a beam connecting the soko pillars, means "to join," symbolizing the union of two families through marriage. Above the jait cendek sits an element called lambang, a wooden beam whose meaning is "to be weighed" or considered carefully — a reminder that those about to marry must genuinely weigh the seriousness of the relationship between their two families, echoing the local saying "ojok kebimbang," meaning there should be no lingering doubt in one's heart before the marriage takes place.
Spatial Layout: A Mirror of Osing Social Character
Regardless of which of the three roof types they take, all Using houses share a similar spatial layout, made up of four main spaces arranged in sequence from front to back: hek or baleh (a boundary space), ampet (the terrace), jerumah (the middle room), and pawon (the kitchen). Academic research on the spatial concept of Osing houses in Kemiren village found this layout follows a Bale-Jrumah-Pawon sequence, with a spatial organization following a closed-ended plan — a closed pattern that, according to the research, manifests the community's tendency toward being reserved, cautious, and watchful, while at the same time, the form of the Using house is also closely tied to a social structure that leans egalitarian.
This duality — caution on one hand, social equality on the other — reflects how Using house architecture is never purely an aesthetic product, but a direct expression of the Osing community's values and worldview toward their social life.
Nail-Free Technology: Ancestral Disaster Mitigation
One of the technical marvels of the Using house is that it uses no iron nails whatsoever in its construction. The entire frame of the house is joined using a system of holes and wooden pegs called penitih or paju. This nail-free joinery system allows the house to "sway" elastically during an earthquake without the risk of breaking or collapsing — a highly effective traditional disaster-mitigation technology, given Banyuwangi's location in an earthquake-prone area at the eastern tip of Java.
The Using house is built entirely from wood, with commonly used species including Bendo, Cempaka, Tanjang, Potat, and Mangir wood. Its walls are made of gedek, or woven bamboo, while the floor traditionally remains bare earth — a simplicity that reflects the Osing community's local wisdom in adapting to the environment and resources around them. The roof of the Using house is also distinctive for its use of clay or earthenware tiles, with a roof shape tall enough to help channel hot air upward, keeping the house cool despite the tropical climate.
Wood Carvings That Hold Prayer and Hope
The wood used to build a Using house isn't left plain — it's carved with a number of motifs, each carrying its own philosophical meaning. The srengge, or sun motif, symbolizes hope for a bright future for the household, the bunga pare (bitter gourd flower) motif symbolizes a household life that lasts long and continues to grow, the kawung motif symbolizes loyalty to one's partner, while the selimpet motif, formed from lines, symbolizes boundless affection. Through these carvings, the Using house serves a dual purpose: as a physical dwelling and as a medium for entrusting prayer and hope for the household life of its occupants.
Kemiren: A House That Is Still Alive
Kemiren village in Glagah District is one of the best places to witness Using traditional houses that still stand and are still inhabited today, which is why the area is often referred to as Kampung Osing. Even so, houses of the crocogan type are becoming increasingly rare to find in this village, in step with the growth of the tourism sector, which has had a major impact on residents' economy. When a crocogan-type house is still built today, it's usually built intentionally for tourist homestay purposes, with construction quality far better than in the past — an interesting adaptation showing how the "youngest" house type in Using marriage philosophy has now found a new function as a gateway introducing tourists to Osing culture.
Architecture as a Mirror of Cosmology
The traditional Using house proves that traditional architecture is never just about form and practical function. From the marriage philosophy embedded in its roof and pillar structure, to the disaster-mitigation wisdom in its wooden peg system, to the prayers carved into its wood motifs, every element of the Using house is part of a larger cosmological system — the Osing community's way of understanding the relationship between people, family, ancestors, and the universe they inhabit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Blambangan Kingdom?
The Blambangan Kingdom was the last Hindu kingdom on the island of Java, established in 1294 and located in what is now Banyuwangi.
Why is Blambangan known as the last Hindu kingdom on Java?
After the fall of the Majapahit Empire, Blambangan remained a Hindu kingdom for nearly three centuries while surrounding regions gradually became Islamic kingdoms.
Where does the name Banyuwangi come from?
The name Banyuwangi comes from the legend of Sri Tanjung, whose innocence was proven when the river water became clear and fragrant, inspiring the name "Banyu Wangi" or "fragrant water."
What was the Puputan Bayu War?
Puputan Bayu was a major battle against the VOC in 1771 and is remembered as a symbol of the Blambangan people's resistance to colonial rule.
Why was Banyuwangi once called the "City of Witchcraft"?
The nickname originated after the tragic violence of 1998, when many people accused of practicing witchcraft became victims, creating a long-lasting stigma.
What is the Banyuwangi Festival?
Banyuwangi Festival (B-Fest) is an annual series of cultural, tourism, and creative events launched in 2012 to promote Banyuwangi's local heritage.
How did the Banyuwangi Festival impact tourism?
The festival significantly increased tourist arrivals, boosted local income, and helped strengthen Banyuwangi's reputation as a leading tourism destination.
Has Banyuwangi received international recognition?
Yes. In 2016, Banyuwangi received the UNWTO Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism for its public policy and tourism governance.
How does Banyuwangi preserve its cultural heritage?
The local government supports cultural preservation through tourism villages, traditional festivals, language revitalization, and community-based cultural programs.
What role does Kemiren Village play in Banyuwangi tourism?
Kemiren Village preserves authentic Osing traditions and has become one of Banyuwangi's most important cultural tourism destinations.
What challenges does Banyuwangi face as tourism grows?
One of the biggest challenges is balancing modern tourism development with the preservation of historical buildings, traditional culture, and local identity.
Why is Banyuwangi considered a successful tourism transformation story?
Because the region successfully combined cultural preservation, community empowerment, and tourism innovation to create sustainable economic growth while maintaining its historical identity.
The traditional Using house proves that a building can be far more than a place to live — it can serve as a map of philosophy, a carved prayer, and local-wisdom technology all fused into a single, coherent whole. From crocogan marking a first meeting, to tikel balung marking commitment, to a wooden-peg system keeping families safe from earthquakes, every corner of the Using house speaks to how the Osing community understands life, love, and their relationship with the world around them. Want to explore more of the philosophy underlying Osing community life? Read Traditional Osing Wedding: The Procession and Its Philosophy, or explore The Kebo-keboan Ceremony: The Meaning Behind Banyuwangi's Unique Ritual.