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Ethiopian Building Heritage

The document discusses traditional Ethiopian building materials and construction techniques. It focuses on vernacular bamboo architecture used by the Sidama people of southern Ethiopia. Key points include: 1) Sidama houses have a unique beehive shape constructed using bamboo poles, strips, and culm sheaths. 2) Foundations use juniper tree poles embedded in the ground. Walls are woven using split bamboo in distinctive patterns. 3) Roofs feature a beautiful dome shape constructed in three layers of bamboo to form structure, insulation, and outer protection. 4) Other traditional materials discussed include stone construction by the Tigray people of northern Ethiopia.

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114 views12 pages

Ethiopian Building Heritage

The document discusses traditional Ethiopian building materials and construction techniques. It focuses on vernacular bamboo architecture used by the Sidama people of southern Ethiopia. Key points include: 1) Sidama houses have a unique beehive shape constructed using bamboo poles, strips, and culm sheaths. 2) Foundations use juniper tree poles embedded in the ground. Walls are woven using split bamboo in distinctive patterns. 3) Roofs feature a beautiful dome shape constructed in three layers of bamboo to form structure, insulation, and outer protection. 4) Other traditional materials discussed include stone construction by the Tigray people of northern Ethiopia.

Uploaded by

callme kg
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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DILLA UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF
ARCHITECTURE
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING HERITAGE ASSIGNMENT

KALAB GETACHEW
ID 6187/18
SUMITTED TO FEVEN .K

SUMISSION DATE 02/01/2023


Introduction
Even though Ethiopia has its own several ancient civilizations, from the
60s there is a great influence by the international style of architectural
design. Because of these, every building is reduced to plain vertical and
horizontal lines of concrete blocks, which being unimpressive and ugly,
are a menace to the society and a cause of environmental degradation.
They are also a cause of a complete break to traditional values and
cultural patterns. Apart from that, because of the international style
influence, the country cannot relate itself with tradition while, we have
not yet been to able satisfy the basic housing needs of our people even
with the modern solutions. But I think, it is very important to learn from
mistakes done on built housing blocks that were implemented without
thorough study of function And it is important to encourage construction
of buildings with local materials and of course with consideration of
functional requirements and proper management.
Building materials
In Ethiopia the major problem is building materials, especially the
roofing materials. As a common practice round tree (usually Eucalyptus
tree) and corrugated iron sheets are widely used. Today, these materials
have become very expensive so that low-income people are almost
unable to build their houses. Reinforced concrete slabs were tried, but
they were found out to be difficult to make water tight in most
constructions. This in fact could be improved if proper management and
good quality control of materials were available. But for low-cost
houses, a rather cheap roofing material should be introduced. Several
research works are still on the way to find a replacement for the
corrugated iron sheet. Even though concrete results are not yet obtained.

Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize method of
construction using
traditional knowledge and ingenious locally available resources to
address local needs.
This type of architecture provides highly responsive techniques towards
addressing
climatic constraints and show high amount of adaptability and flexibility
(Shanthi Priya,
Sundar raja, Radhakrishnan, & Vijayalakshmi, 2012). Vernacular
traditions lead a way
towards the sustainable built environment. The valuable lessons from
vernacular can be
integrated with the modern to produce sustainable designs. Vernacular
traditions can
also be used as a design tool for housing programs however the
designing of these
settlements need understanding users’ way of life, social and cul-tural
values (Shikha &
Brishbhanlali, 2014)

Ethiopian traditional building construction materials


 Bamboo
 Mud or soil
 Stone …..etc

TRADITIONAL HOUSES OF ETHIOPIA AND THEIR


INDIGENOUS CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

-vernacular bamboo architecture of the Sidama People in


southern part of Ethiopia and its adaptability to modern urban housing is
investigated.
Both primary and secondary data are collected through field
observations, literature
review and interviews of the local artisans.

The steps which were followed during the field study include
information gathering, on-site observation, interview with local
people, photography and visualization of some building elements by
means of sketches.

House Form, Orientation and Basic Construction Systems

2.2.1 Spatial Layout of Sidama House


The Sidama house is a unique beehive shaped structure that is finished
by fixing a
layer of undifferentiated woven bamboo onto the structure. Partitions are
also made of
woven bamboo. Most of the houses have two entrances, a back and front
entrance.
The back entrance is meant for use by the cattle and sheep while the
front entrance by
the people.
Foundation and Structure

Juniper tree poles are used as a component for the foundation. It is

applied for the


foundation because of its longevity and being proven to protect against
pest attack like
termites. The poles are imbedded to the ground ‘Mokolicho’ is
used as reinforcement
bars. Thin strands of bamboo are placed around the perimeter of the
house. It can be
placed up to 100 to 150cm underground. ‘Hicho’ are smaller
bamboo that are not split
and are used for weaving the interior and exterior walls.

Wall
The construction of the walls is made by splitting the bamboo to smaller
strips and uses
whole bamboo with smaller diameters. The interior wall of the Sidama
hut has two
different types of patterns. (‘Hilo’ and ‘Himbiro’) The ‘Hilo’ pattern
follows a linear
weaved form, which has a basic parallel appearance. Whereas the
‘Himbiro’ pattern has
a diagonal weaved pattern.
The interior wall of the hut has a wall finish known as ‘Lemicho’. The
wall finish can
have an extra layer called ‘Chicha’. The ‘Chicha’ can be applied
in different colors,
patterns and sizes. The material used for waterproofing the hut ‘Honche’
or bamboo
sheath (Fig. 4). It is harvested from the skin that the bamboo shoot
sheds. It is placed in
four layers all around the hut. The exterior wall of the Sidama hut is

weaved with a pattern called ‘Fuko’; which has an overlaying effect on


the façade.

pattern called ‘Fuko’; which has an overlaying effect on the façade.

Roof
A beautiful dome or dome like shape is made for the roof with a triple
layer of bamboo
splits and ropes for structural support, culm sheaths for insulation and
rain protection.
A woven basket like cover on the outside ties everything together and
protects the house against wind.

A B

(a). Weaving of bamboo strips to form dome shape, (b). Erection


of the dome, (c). Construction of door shade, (d). False umbrella cover
for aesthetics
Methods of Bamboo Treatment
Smoking of house: dry grasses, paddy stems, dry leaves, dry bamboo
leaves, rice husk
and some amount of green leaves and branches are used for smoking of
house. The
smoking is done under the observation for 2-3 days.
PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITH
TRADITIONAL BAMBOO HOUSES

Most of the present dwellers of bamboo houses belong to the socially


and economically
weaker sections in the society. Probably due to their poor economic
condition. They opt for
low cost bamboo houses and hence are of low quality. Thus economic
conditions of the
dwellers must be improved to construct quality bamboo houses.
Demand of bamboo for the construction sector is more than the total
supply of bamboo.
Quality bamboos, at low cost must be made available to people who
wish to construct
bamboo houses.
Most of the bamboo community is aware of the construction technology
and traditional
bamboo preservation techniques. If financial help is provided they can
build reasonably
safe buildings for themselves with little training on latest technology
interventions.
The another construction material is stone
Tigray houses

The

Region is a rocky mountainous land and has a


historical background of using their resource to reflect
their culture.

They also have a rock hewn churches carved out from


a rocky mountain.
The Tigray houses are built from amazing stone masonry
It usually has a rectangular shape but sometimes rounded.

The roofs are usually flat and wood covered with mortar with an
overhanging eaves to protect the wall from rain water. However,
sometimes it has a cone shaped when the building is rounded.

The roofs are usually flat and wood covered with mortar with an
overhanging eaves to protect the wall from rain water. However,
sometimes it has a cone shaped when the building is rounded.

On the outside of their houses they build beautifully stone steps leading
to the roof where roof is used for many purpose. Or I some cases the
houses could double story and the upper floor would be used as
bedroom, living room or guest house.
The interior wall is painted with white or off white color made
from crashed local limestone, cow dung and hey.

The Ceiling is curved wood arranged in an artistic geometric pattern


usually crosses.

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