A Hlai House in Tongzha - Interior Shots |
We had a look inside the largest of the houses, with the owner's permission of course. The interior was dark and space was quite confined. (I was told that West coast houses are larger, but am unable to confirm that). The house had an extremely lived-in feel about it, as can be seen from the presence of clothing and utensils everywhere. This is also quite obviously a farmhouse, as can be seen from various farming implements leaning against the walls in some photos. I was told that the family owning this house would have been considered quite well off in their day.
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A bed, with mosquito nets. |
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| An inside doorway. |
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| Another doorway, but I'm not sure where! |
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Looking at these photos, one can appreciate why the authorities feel these houses are primitive and backward, and should be replaced with modern housing.
Nevertheless, one wonders why a little more thought could not be put into 'modernising' the traditional Hlai house rather than destroying them wholesale and replacing them with nondescript blockhouses. Hlai houses are said to be very tough in typhoons and cooler than brick housing.
The next page shows shots of some of the basketware and pottery found in the house.
