More than a house; the Uma is the sacred heart of our community and spiritual life.
The Uma is the center of Mentawai social and spiritual life. Built entirely from timber, bamboo, and sago palm leaves without using a single nail, these massive longhouses represent our connection to the land. Each Uma houses multiple families and serves as a communal space where wisdom is shared and ceremonies are performed.
Inside the Uma, you will find the hanging skulls of hunted animals, which are believed to house spirits that protect the home. Living in an Uma means living in harmony with your kin and the unseen world, where every beam and floorboard carries the history of our ancestors.
