Traditional architectural mud huts in Africa: Forms, aesthetics, history and preservation in South-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The article explores indigenous architectural mud huts in Africa. Based on research, it assessed forms, aesthetics, history, and designs enshrined in the huts. Centered in Igbo land, south-eastern Nigeria, the paper draws from the fact that in contemporary times, old living structures are fast being erased to make room for modern infrastructures which affects traditional. It argues that indigenous traditional mud huts, which bore a lot of memories and history of the people will disappear in the face of civilisation. Preserving and keeping records of these traditional mud huts, which once provided shelter and security becomes imperative. The author suggests that studying the aesthetic writings and drawings on the walls that harbour history and ideology will enable special enlightenment. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and secondary sources. The conclusion delved into the prerequisites of saving facts on the indigenous architectural mud huts that are fast going extinct.

Keywords

• Traditional
• architectural
• mud huts
• aesthetics
• history
• preservation