Traditional Mud Houses of Burkina Faso Amazing round village called Tiebele located in the west African country of Burkina Faso, So about 20 km north of the Ghanian border. It occupies an area of approximately 1.2 hectares and Tiébélé is known for their amazing traditional Gourounsi architecture and elaborately decorated walls of their homes. It is inhabited by people of Kassena, who first settled the region in the 15th century, the oldest ethnic group in Burkina Faso. The Kassena people build their houses entirely of local materials: earth, wood and straw. Soil mixed with straw and cow dung is moistened to a state of perfect plasticity, to shape almost vertical surfaces. Today this technique is replaced by the use of mud brick molding walls with foundations resting on large stone. Tiébélé’s houses are built with defense in mind, whether that be against the climate or potential enemies. Walls are over a foot thick and the homes are designed without windows except for a small opening or two to let just enough light in to see. Front doors are only about two feet tall, which keeps the sun out and makes enemies difficult to strike. Roofs are protected with wood ladders that are easily retracted and the local beer (dolo) is brewed at home, people who continue to build on this extraordinary technology. This is a very ancient practice that dates from the sixteenth century AD.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 05:43:03 +0000
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