Earthquake Resilience of Traditional Nias Island Houses: Lessons from the 2004 and 2005 Earthquakes

Abstract

For the past two centuries, Nias, an island located in the Indian Ocean on the west coast of Sumatra, has been regularly rocked by earthquakes. It was recorded that devastating earthquakes occurred in 1843, 1861, and finally in 2004 and 2005. Facing this situation, the people of Nias Island have taken the initiative to respond to earthquake disasters in the form of cultural heritage to avoid and save themselves from various possible risks of earthquakes by building traditional earthquake resilience houses. This article aims to explain the existence of these traditional earthquake-resilience houses in the face of earthquake natural disasters. The method used is a combination of historical and architectural by utilizing various kinds of past data from earthquake resilience houses. The results of the research show that this earthquake-resilience house has been built for centuries and has a unique architectural model and resilience so it does not collapse easily even when shaken by a strong earthquake. Traditional houses are made of strong wood and built based on the local wisdom of the local community. Throughout its history, this house has been able to save many people living in these houses from earthquakes.