Are Bali's Traditional Thatched Roofs at Risk?

Anyone who has been to Bali even once has almost certainly seen thatched roofs made of alang-alang, a dry grass traditionally used in Bali to roof villas, restaurants, hotels and other buildings.

The material has long been one of the recognizable features of Balinese architecture, but it is also highly flammable. That is why the Badung authorities have decided to review safety rules for tourist properties with roofs like these.

The trigger was a major fire at Chez Gado-Gado restaurant in Seminyak at the end of August. The flames quickly spread to the ilalang structures, and the damage was estimated at around 4 billion rupiah.

The authorities now want to find a way to make these properties safer. The plan is to review the standard operating procedures (SOP). This means the rules and procedures for operating these buildings will change, and there will also be additional guidance on precautions for owners, staff and guests.

However, the authorities have no plans to ban ilalang entirely. The Regent of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, noted that tourists like these roofs and that they give buildings a traditional look.

Alang-alang is no random choice for Balinese architecture. It is a perennial grass that grows well in the local climate and has always been a readily available natural building material. Its dried stalks are tied into dense bundles and laid over the roof frame. The resulting roof is light, and the thick layer of grass helps keep the interior from overheating, which is an important quality in a hot tropical climate.

So originally these roofs were less a decorative feature than a practical solution. Over time the material has carried over into modern architecture, now as a blend of tradition and the recognizable Balinese look.

Owners and managers of accommodation with roofs like these are advised to warn guests about the possible fire risk and explain the necessary precautions. At the same time, the authorities stress that they do not consider every property with an alang-alang roof dangerous because of a single incident.

Sources: Detik, NusaBali.