A Social Jungle: Hut Culture

Navigating the Unwritten Rules of Pride and Belonging

Written by JIS students Elsie V. and Marsha W. 

To outsiders, JIS may be known for our blue and silver school colors or our infamous Dragon mascot. However, one integral concept of our school differentiates us largely from any other international school, namely, Hut culture. 

The idea of huts at JIS may seem peculiar at first glance. After all, a hut is typically associated with providing shelter. This may be true because it protects us students from the scorching  Jakarta heat or shields us during torrential rainy days. However, these huts serve as more than just physical cover. The huts symbolize a unique structure that unites and divides the student population. 

Anatomy of the Huts 

By now, you most likely know of the huts. But if you don’t, here is a breakdown of the hut demographic to help demystify this unspoken system. The nine huts across campus house various groups and cliques, typically exclusive to a singular year group. 

Aside from one hut that deviates from precedent by housing a mix of Junior and Senior residents, if you feel the huts are a bit too exclusive or territorial, fear not; there are also plenty of other places perfect for those who would rather stay out of the hut hustle.  

These sub-communities, such as the campus benches, picnic tables, and other seating areas, serve as a space for students to connect with friends from different grades. While these areas foster inter-grade mingling, the huts remain a central and defining aspect of JIS High School life as they shape a larger sense of community within a grade.  

Looking Back 

To fully understand the social landscape of Hut culture, it is essential to trace it to its roots and examine how it has evolved. The history of the hut system stretches back to the school's conception, spanning an impressive 74 years. Over the decades, the huts have evolved with each incoming class, changing both their names and policies. For example, in the 1980s, a smoking hut allowed students, with parental permission, to smoke on school grounds. While these huts are thankfully no longer in existence, more recent huts such as the senior “Bali Hut” or the sophomore “Quirky Hut” are a testament to the ongoing evolution of Hut culture within our school community. 

However, there may be a larger question remaining: whether the distinguishing concept between separation was comfort and commonality rather than conformity. 

Since the 2000s, certain huts have been divided by ethnicity, such as a  Chinese-Indonesian Hut, a Dutch Hut, and possibly a Korean Hut. While there has been a shift away in recent years, many may find the concept of this to be largely discriminatory.  

However, it is evident from walking about the campus that no hut is exclusive to one culture anymore; it is not a necessary qualification in determining hut membership. The diversity and inclusivity of the huts on campus reflect the clear change toward a more unified and accepting school community.  

Mr. Burke, Associate Principal of Student Life and Well-being, noted,  “When we still had students coming on campus [during COVID-19], all of the grade division went away, and  people were just mixing in the huts.”  

However, as campus life resumed in full, “people went back to grade-level huts". This shift reflects an inherent human tendency to gravitate toward familiar groups — a tendency  Mr. Burke views as natural and not entirely negative. 

Navigating No Man’s Land 

Despite efforts to foster a more inclusive and diverse Hut culture, significant challenges persist in balancing tradition with maintaining the unique identity of each hut.  

Survey responses reveal troubling reports of aggressive, territorial behavior within these spaces: students allegedly wielding DIY flame throwers, slipping dry ice into unsuspecting water bottles, and engaging in heated physical conflicts. This behaviour transforms a perception of the huts — more reminiscent of a zoo than a school common space.  

High School Psychology Teacher Mr. Fox labeled these behaviors as manifestations of the inherent tribal tendencies of adolescents, highlighting that group formation around geographic or sociocultural factors is inevitable. Yet, he questioned “whether or not we were helping or  hurting by formalizing [Hut culture].”  By institutionalizing these spaces, could we unintentionally be reinforcing exclusivity and rivalry? 

The Us vs. Them Mentality 

Unfortunately, this idea of an “us versus them” mentality is identified in the way students refer to the huts in their grades. Unlike the Senior cohort, which often adopts specific and grade-known names, the Junior cohort has yet to settle on distinct identities for their spaces. Instead, some students refer to each space simply as “our hut” and “their hut” — phrases that quietly draw lines within the grade. By using “our” and “their” rather than a shared or unique name, students create a mental divide that reinforces a sense of group loyalty — one that is both inclusive and exclusive.

It is human nature to find belonging through distinctions, after all. Saying “our” fosters a sense of closeness and ownership, while “their” hints at a boundary that keeps others at arm's length. While this distinction may seem to be harmless, it forms a subtle barrier that socially defines who is a part of each circle. 

This subtle tribalism is not without its quirks. Stories of students being gently discouraged or not-so-gently barred from entering a hut that was not “their” hut come up occasionally, as if stepping foot in these imaginary borders were taboo. It all seems part of an unspoken rule: our hut is our territory, and exploring someplace else might as well require an escort.

“Once a dragon, always a dragon,” but do we only come out of our caverns to breathe fire on each other? 

A Place of Belonging 

Nonetheless, instead of focusing on the negative aspects that outsiders tend to gravitate toward, Hut culture fosters a sense of belonging and creates opportunities for meaningful friendships, alongside building grade-level identities. For many students, these huts are seen as a safe space where they can rest, rejuvenate, and reconvene with peers with whom they may not share classes.  

“[The huts are] fun to have a place you belong to, as well as share with others and make new friends,” one student shared.  

Another noted how their hut fostered spontaneous moments of joy: “I remember when we all did a karaoke thing together, singing songs by the Backstreet Boys and other notable artists. It brought us all closer.” 

Camaraderie in Connections 

Beyond the day-to-day interactions, huts also offer opportunities for collaboration and bonding during key school events. During the Cilandak Games, where students compete in friendly rivalry among year groups, one student described their hut as a hub of energy, with music playing and everyone cheering and laughing alongside collaborating as a unified team. This shared sense of purpose creates prominent memories that many carry beyond High School.  

Another student reflected on how these spaces have helped to foster new connections within the grade: “Last  year, the hut system was divided into two smaller huts, but now that we share one space, I’ve bonded more with others I was kind of scared of before.” 

Additionally, the school offers the opportunity for the huts to offer lessons of responsibility while providing a platform for students to unite in support of higher objectives. In previous years, when a hut appeared to be neglected, it would be sealed off. The only way to regain access to the hut was for all members to meet with Mr. Burke and acknowledge the actions that needed to be performed to better manage and maintain their shared space.  

All of the students benefited greatly from this learning experience, helping the community to come together and learn further about responsibility and teamwork. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie among the student body.  

Value of Simple Moments 

Even small acts of kindness within our huts demonstrate their positive impacts. One student recalled how a peer would “braid anyone's hair, no matter how busy she was”, indicating a sense of warmth and openness within the group.  

Students themselves have noted how huts serve as spaces for shared memories that go beyond individual differences. From long lunch conversations to shared camaraderie during school events, the huts provide a unique blend of tradition and connection.  

One student even remarked, “Our hut is where we’ve celebrated birthdays, laughed over inside jokes, and even comforted each other on bad days. It's a space where we  all feel seen and supported.” 

Hut culture at JIS serves more than just a collection of physical structures, it is a reflection of the unique social dynamics that shape the overall high school experience. These spaces, while not without some challenges, serve as hotspots for connection, belonging, and shared memories. From fostering grade-level pride to creating  

spaces where students can bond over shared moments, these huts embody both the strength and complexities of our diverse school community. As JIS as a community continues to grow, the challenge lies in nurturing the inclusive and positive aspects of Hut culture while acknowledging and addressing the issues of exclusivity and division.

This article was first published in the December 2024 edition of JIS High School's Feedback magazine.