Vernacular Architecture of West Africa: A World in Dwelling

ISBN-13: 9780415585439 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 192 str.

Jean-Paul Bourdier

Opis

The dwellings of hundreds of African ethnic groups offer a variety of conceptions and building practices that contradict the widespread image of the primitive hut commonly attributed to rural Africa. Each house or group of houses is designed not only to shelter the members of a family, but also to enable intimate communication with ancestors and divinities and to harmonize with the forces of nature. Such an architecture thrives in a community context where it is simply not acceptable to plunder resources from the earth, and resources are used only in accordance with their availability, in quantity, and at times of year that minimize environmental impact. This cultural dimension and its realization through different architectural practices are illustrated in this work with examples taken from dwellings across numerous ethnic groups in sub-Saharan West Africa. Drawings, plans, axonometric projections, and photographs show the beauty and complexity of this architecture that is a spiritual praxis--as much place of life as work of art.

Spis treści

Acknowledgements.  Introduction   Part 1: Dweller, Dwelling, and Setting  Part 2: Cultural Framework  1. House as Project of Identity: Picturing Soninke Dwellings  2. House as Inside and Outside: Picturing Kassena Dwellings  3. House as Assurance of Social Viability: Picturing Moba Dwellings  4. House as Vessel of Day and Night: Picturing Nuna Dwellings  5. House as Life-Giving Speech: Picturing Jaxanke, Ko, and Mandingo Dwellings  6. House as Creative Source: Picturing Puguli and Bassari Dwellings  7. House as Newborn: Picturing Kusasi and Birifor Dwellings  8. House and Differential Space: Picturing Moor Dwellings  9. House in the World’s Image: Picturing Batammaliba Dwellings  Part 3: Architectural Practices  10. Terrace-Roofed Dwellings  Nankani Dwelling. Lyela Dwelling. Dogon Cliff Dwelling. Tokolor Dwelling. Tokolor Mosques  11. Thatch-Roofed Dwellings  Konkomba Dwelling.  Toffinu Lake Dwelling.  Sereer Dwelling.  Joola Impluvium Dwelling.  Calabash Dome: Fulbe Dwelling.  Bibliography