The three main sections of the house, the balai (hall), rumah ibu (main house) and dapur/ruang makan (kitchen/dining room) were constructed at different times and their origins differ. The balai was probably added in the 1930s

The Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman in Kuala Lumpur will be the focus of attention as participants of the Asian Pacific Geomancy Conference examine the antiquated house for a lesson on Malay geomancy.

Organised by the Malaysian Institute of Geomancy Sciences (MINGS), the conference seeks to explore the common scientific principles found in the various forms of geomancy, including Ilmu Tajul Muluk or Tiang Seri, as used in Malay house construction.

To be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 20-22, the conference will have four geomancy experts delivering papers on their respective fields.

According to organising committee chairman Gerard Benedict, the conference seeks to bring together on one platform, all the anicent concepts of geomancy from among the oldest Asian civilisations.

“This conference is also to dispel the myths associated with geomancy or feng shui.

“We want to explain to everyone including property developers, town planners, architects, engineers and the public, that feng shui is not related to religion or divinity. Geomancy is very much a form of science based on facts and natural elements.”

Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman was recognised with an Honorable Mention in the 2000 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation

The speakers are Malaysian feng shui consultants Yap Cheng Hai and David Koh. They will speak on How to use feng shui in a practical way and Modern Living, Ancient Concepts, respectively.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia architecture head Prof Dr Mohd Tajudddin bin Mohamad Rasdi will deliver his paper on Tiang Seri or Ilmu Tajul Muluk.

Dr Smita Jain Narang of India will talk on Vastu Shastra: Old & New while Sergio Zelinscki from Brazil will talk on Semiotics of Feng Shui: Western-Semiotics,I-Ching and Feng Shui.

The Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman used to be a local headman's house in Kedah and is a fine example of Malay craftsmanship.

Different sections of the house were constructed at different times and their origins differ. The main house was originally built for a Tok Taib. When he passed away, the structure was sold to Penghulu Abu Seman who moved it to Kampung Sungai Kechil in 1924.

From the mid 1920s to the early 1930s, Penghulu Abu Seman bin Nayan completed the ensemble of buildings which make up the house.

When he died, his son Ibrahim bin Abu Seman inherited both the title and the ownership of the house. Unfortunately Penghulu Ibrahim had no son to succeed him and the house was eventually left vacant.

The Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman is a relocation and restoration project by Badan Warisan Malaysia. This house was recognised with an Honorable Mention in the 2000 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation programme and the ASEANTA 2003 Awards For Excellence in Cultural Preservation Effort.

The heritage house which is open to the public, is located on the grounds of Badan Warisan at No. 2 Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur.

* For conference details, log on to www.mingsweb.org or call 03-41083611/03-92008182.

* For details on Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman, check out: http://www.badanwarisan.org.my/conservation/rumah_penghulu.php.

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