Rangkiang

[2] A rangkiang is a structure built over a raised pile foundation, an Austronesian legacy that can be found anywhere else in Indonesia.

The only opening to a rangkiang is a small rectangular hatch high up in the gable end, into which the harvested rice is placed.

A rangkiang which is used to store rice that is to be consumed by the inhabitants of the house is known as si bayau-bayau.

[4][5] This type of rangkiang is traditionally positioned at the left end of a rumah gadang courtyard.

The number of rangkiang, as well as the degree of ornaments that decorates the rumah gadang, shows the wealth of the owner.