An adventure of a lifetime
Architecture
Architecture evolves over time. Tribal groups would use locally sourced materials depending on what materials were available in their area, for example timber, stone, clay and mud, grasses, bamboo, animal waste, leaves and tree bark. There are a wide range of structures from the basic bent over branches covered with grass to stone and coral built structures. The buildings also depend on the environment with stone being used more on the coast due to the weather conditions and nomadic tribes using ready available materials so that a structure can be erected quickly. Structures can vary within a community as you have ceremonial, agricultural, communal, status and wealth within the village.
Traditional Tanzania Architecture
Mushonge
The mushonge is a beehive shaped hut of the Haya people made from reeds, wooden poles, banana fibre, and grass. The building is built from the top down and are circular in form with a conical peak. The floor area is around 6.5m diameter with a height of about 4.3m. Large wooden poles form the main structure dividing the space inside and smaller poles go all around the structure held together with banana fibre and are then thatched with reed and grass. Inside there is a cooking area, an area for men normally at the front and an area for women and guests. The structure gets cleansed and a goat is sacrificed by the local medicine man.
Traditional Kenya Architecture
Enkaji
The Enkaji is the traditional Maasai hut constructed by the women in the family. The hut is approximately 3m x 5m in size with a height of approximately 1.5m It is constructed from cow dung, mud, clay, sticks, grass, human urine and ash and are usually circular or oval shaped. The first part of the construction is to dig small holes for the main structural timbers to sit in then smaller branches are interlaced to create the frame and roof. The next stage is to mix water, clay, mud, cow dung and human urine to create the plaster which is added to the walls and roof grass is then added to roof. Traditionally there were no windows and a small narrow doorway with no proper chimney but just a small hole in the roof near the fireplace to release the smoke from the fire. This is also used for cooking. Beds are either just skins on the floor or made from wood. Some have a partition for privacy with an area for young animals.
Traditional Ugandan Architecture
Omurimbo
The Omurimbo is the traditional hut of the Batwa pygmies who live in the Echuya Forest Reserve. The Omurimbo is one of the most basic of huts there are as the Batwa are nomadic so the round structures are made by interlocking branches with grass spread over like a thatch. If grass isn't readily available large leaves are place over instead. There is no fire inside the hut and skins will be laid on the floor for beds. As well as living in the Omurimbo hut they also live in caves which is the most basic of all architecture.
Traditional Ethiopian Architecture
Tuguls
The Tuguls is the traditional hut of the Sidama people. They are round and made mainly from bamboo. They us two types of bamboo, the Oxytentra abyssinica commonly known as lowland bam-boo and Yushania alpine commonly known as highland bamboo. The construction starts with a eucalyptus door frame then the structural poles are dug into the ground approximately 20cm apart. The poles are made from juniper and bamboo and are 1.2m high. The frame is called the madada. The walls are made up of split bamboo which is woven vertically and horizontally between the poles. A eucalyptus pole is erected in the centre of the hut to support the roof which is woven on the ground before lifting up to join the walls which are then woven together. The next step is water proofing with bamboo sheath's which are added to the hut then another layer of woven split bamboo is added over the top of the bamboo sheath's. Finally a split bamboo weave is added to the interior walls and is much moor decorative. There are no windows and the house has three parts, the residential, the cooking space and the cattle and crop store.
Traditional Indian Architecture
Mughal Architecture
The Taj Muhal. This must be one of the most famous buildings in the world, built by Mughals. Construction started in 1632 AD and was completed in 1648 AD. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan commissioned the building in 1632 to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during childbirth. The Mughal architecture is a mix of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles. There were around 20,000 people involved in building the Taj Muhal, Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the main architect. The main building is 73m high, 295.656m in length and 111.252m in width. Built using bilateral symmetry along a central axis the materials used were brick-in-lime mortar veneered with red sandstone and marble and inlay work of precious and semi precious stones. The Taj Muhal has a central dome and the circumference measures 17.68m, 35m high and weighs 12,000 tons. The outside is decorated with white marble, the top has an upside down lotus flower and the very top has a trident pinnacle made from eight alloy metals. The Taj Muhal exterior is mainly white marble decorated with a floral design and Islamic calligraphy. The decoration is made by applying paint, stucco, stone inlays, and carvings. The interior of the mausoleum’s design comprises of floral, calligraphy and abstract patterns with around thirty different precious and semiprecious stones. Surrounding the main mausoleum are four minarets standing at 43,02m. The minarets are covered with white marble blocks which are cut into curves and black stones to simulate joints. The complex consists of five structures Darwaza (main gateway), Bageecha (gardens), Masjid (mosque), Rauza (main mausoleum) and Naqqar Khana (rest house).
Karvi Hut
The Karvi Hut is the traditional house of the Warli tribe in Maharashtra. The Warli live in hamlets with 10 to 200 houses called a Pada or Wadi. The Karvi hut is built using local materials like mud bamboo, Karavi, wood, mud, cow, clay dung, stones and paddy straw. The frame of the house is normally made from mature teak trees which are traditionally cut during the waning period of the moon in September (Bhadrapada) and are seasoned by keeping the logs in water for a couple of months. After the logs are seasoned they are put in place to make the frame then the walls of the hut are made from bamboo, stones and Karvi sticks. Karvi (Strobilanthes callosa Nees) which is a large shrub, with heights ranging from 1.8–6m and 6cm in diameter and is revered throughout the Warli community. This plant is also used in the construction of the Karvi hut and in Warli traditional medicine. The walls of the huts are smeared with a mix of carefully selected soils which are yellow and red in colour, clay, mud and cow dung. This mix creates a red Ochre colour which makes the perfect background for the wall paintings that cover the interior and exterior of the building. The paintings are called Chauk, a local folk art. The paint is a white pigment made from a mixture of rice paste and water with gum as a binder. A chewed bamboo stick is the artists brush. The Warli art is made up of geometric shapes such as circles, triangles and squares to form numerous shapes depicting life and the beliefs of the Warli tribe. The Karvi hut roof has a sloping roof, traditionally thatched with grass but later tiles are used. There are normally three to four rooms and often a room is added to the back of the hut for animals. There are no windows but two doors and sometimes a third door is added to the rear of the hut and is still made in this traditional way by the Warli tribe to this day.
Dravidian Architecture
Dravidian architecture is found all over South India. It consists primarily of pyramid shaped temples. The Doddabasappa temple in Dambal, Karnataka state is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in 1124-26 A.D. and was known as the Ajjamesvara Temple, as it was built by Officer Ajjayyanayaka. The temple architecture is a 24 pointed star shape and has seven tiers, the upper tiers of this superstructure looks like a cogged wheel. The Temple is made from soapstone which was hand carved by Dravidian stone masons and is covered in stone carved figures. The construction consists of sanctum which contains a Shiva lignum and a Mantapa which is connected by an antarala which is a hallway. At the entrance of Doddabasappa is a large stone bull “Nandi” the gatekeeper, and vehicle (vahana) of the Hindu god Shiva. The entrance to the sanctum is decorated with images of Brahma the five headed god and his vehicle Vahana, a goose, the sun god Surya, musicians, dancers and the mithuna couple (Gemini). The temple has two doorways each with a pillared porch, one facing south and the other facing east. There are many exceptional examples of Dravidian architecture throughout South India for example the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, the Kapaleshwar Temple in Chennai, the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram, the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Trichy.
Traditional Nepal Architecture
Newar Architecture
Newar architecture must be the most famous in Nepal known by the red brick and heavily carved wooden facades. This architecture can be found throughout Nepal mainly in the cities and large towns. The earliest known Newari architecture is from the third century in the Licchavi period. There are Newari buildings in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square dating back to the 16th century. The temples constructed by the Newari in the Kathmandu Durbar Square are the most famous of all such as the Basantapur tower which has nine storeys approximately 26m high. The building was first constructed in the 18th century, which was in the Malla period, for King Prithvi Naraya as part of his royal palace complex and has an area of 5600 m2 and has four towers in total. The Basantapur tower is constructed in a pagoda style with a four tiered red clay tiled roof. The red brick which is made from clay found in river beds and in the neighbouring hills is pressed into moulds and left to dry in the sun before being added to the kilns called an Intermittent kiln which were fired using straw and wood. The roof tiles and the decorative bricks were made using a similar process but different moulds and different coloured clays were used. The structural wood that was used came from the Sal tree (Shorea Robusta) which was sourced from Terai region and the hills that surround the Kathmandu valley. Sal wood is hard and very resilient as was also used as the structural part of the building, windows, doors, grates and mouldings. The wood is heavily carved with the most intricate detailed work mainly having religious connotations. Inside the tower is a wooden staircase that leads all the way up the nine storeys to the heavily beamed roof. The Newari were not just skilled in wood carving their stone carving is just as impressive; for example the stone sculpture of God Kaal Bhairav that stands in the main square. There are two main types of stone used in the carving within the building and the square kalo dhunga, a black rock and white rock bhuiyo o khairo dhunga which would have been quarried from the hills of the Kathmandu valley. The workmanship in these buildings are breathtaking but sadly the Basantapur tower was affected by the earthquake in 2015 and restoration work continues this day by skilled artisans of the area. There are many examples of Newari architecture and some of the best is found in Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley with its Durbar and stunning Newari town houses with their elaborate carved window frames and doors.
Gurung house
A traditional Gurung house is called a Gol ghar. Villages are normally on hillsides with around 150 to 200 houses. Gurung houses are built out of natural materials such as wood, stone, cow dung, mud, clay and straw. They can be rectangular, round or oval in form. The buildings are of two stories and the upper floor is either storage or bedrooms with a wooden balcony and downstairs kitchen dining area with a bedroom at the back and an area for a Buddhist shrine. The buildings are built from a wooden frame, 50cm thick stone walls traditionally with mud mortar and the floors are made with rammed earth. Some of the Gol ghars are plastered with a mud clay mortar and coated with a red mud and white soil which is red at the top and white below. The roof of Gol ghar traditionally was thatched and later slate tile is used.
Tharu Architecture
The Tharu house is called a Ghar. The Tharu live in the Terai district near the border of India in communities of 150 to 600. Originally the Tharu would have lived in long houses which would of housed as many as 30 family members, nowadays they live in smaller houses with their direct family members and animals as the Tharu are normally farmers. It takes approximately 17-25 days to construct a traditional Tharu home and other members of the community will help with the construction. The Ghar is made from locally sourced materials with timber and bamboo from the jungle, mud from the river, dung from the animals and hay from the farms. The construction of the Ghar starts with the alignment which is oriented along a north-south axis, then the timber frame goes up and then bamboo to connect to the timbers with a mix of khariya dried plants, mud and dung compacted in to create a wattle and daub effect for the walls, finally a mud and dung plaster is added. The roof is next to go up which is made from timber and paral (hay) is then added to create the thatch. The internal walls which are made of bamboo, dung and mud and then plastered which will split the house to create kitchen, bedrooms and a deity room (Deurar). There are two doors one at the front and one at the rear of the Ghar and a small window made from wood. The Ghar often have a lean-to on the rear made from wood which is for the young animals but there are other building on the farm for animals and crop storage. Some of the Ghar's are decorated with hand and foot prints on the exterior walls.
Traditional Laos Architecture
Lao Luang
The traditional houses on stilts in Laos are a distinctive feature of the country's cultural heritage. These unique structures, known as "lao luang," are typically found in rural areas and serve as a multifunctional space for the local communities. Built on wooden stilts, these houses are elevated from the ground to protect against flooding and provide ventilation in the hot and humid climate of Laos. The stilts also act as a natural defence against pests and wild animals. The houses are constructed using locally sourced materials such as bamboo, wood, and thatch, reflecting the resourcefulness and sustainability of the Lao people. The design of a traditional Laotian house on stilts is characterised by its raised platform , which serves as the living area, and a steeply pitched roof made of thatch or corrugated iron. The open floor plan allows for flexibility and easy movement within the house. The ground level beneath the house is often used for livestock, storage, or as a workspace. These houses are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Elaborate wood carvings, intricate patterns, and vibrant colours adorn the exterior and interior of the houses, showcasing the rich artistic traditions of Laos. The architectural style varies across different regions of the country, with each community adding its unique touches.
The houses on stilts are not merely residences; they are the heart of community life. They serve as gathering spaces for socialising, celebrations, and religious ceremonies. The raised platform often doubles as a stage for traditional performances and dances, providing a venue for cultural expression and preservation. Despite the modernization and urbanisation taking place in Laos, the traditional houses on stilts remain an integral part of the country's identity, symbolising the resilience, harmony with nature, and strong community ties of the Lao people. Preserving and appreciating these architectural gems is essential for safeguarding the cultural heritage of Laos for future generations.
Laos Temple Architecture
The architecture of temples in Laos showcases a rich cultural heritage and religious significance that dates back centuries. Rooted in Theravada Buddhism, Laotian temple architecture reflects a harmonious blend of indigenous beliefs, Hindu influences, and the creative genius of local artisans. Laos is renowned for its magnificent temple complexes, known as "wats." These wats typically feature a distinctive multi-tiered roof structure, adorned with elegant, sweeping lines. The roofs are often covered with ornate, gilded tiles that catch the sunlight and create a mesmerising spectacle. Elaborate gables, intricately carved with mythical creatures and celestial beings, embellish the entrance and add to the grandeur of the temples. The temples themselves are constructed on a raised platform, symbolising the connection between heaven and earth. The main prayer hall, or "sim," is the focal point of the temple complex. Inside, beautifully painted murals depicting the life of the Buddha and Jataka tales adorn the walls, while golden statues and sacred relics occupy prominent positions. The temple architecture of Laos also includes several auxiliary buildings, such as drum towers, meditation halls, and libraries. These structures serve various functions, from providing a space for contemplation and learning to housing sacred texts and instruments. Natural materials like wood, brick, and stucco are commonly used in temple construction. The meticulous craftsmanship displayed in the intricate carvings and delicate details showcases the skill and dedication of Laotian artisans. The architecture of temples in Laos not only represents the spiritual beliefs of the people but also serves as a testament to their artistic prowess. It continues to captivate visitors with its timeless beauty and evokes a sense of tranquillity, inviting all who enter to experience the profound serenity of Buddhist teachings.
