CULTURE, HISTORY, NATURAL MATERIALS IN ANGOLA: VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

This article focuses on the Angolan vernacular architecture and is part of a master's dissertation. As a cultural heritage, understanding vernacular architecture also helps us search for more sustainable construction alternatives. To this end, this article aims to characterize the Angolan vernacular architecture by carrying out a theoretical literature review and a case study in the province of Huíla (Mupalala), Angola, for the cubatas of the Nyaneka-Humbi ethnic group. For this case study, it was imperative to interview local residents in order to understand the cultural aspects of construction, building techniques and materials used. In the end, it was possible to characterize this type of construction and understand possible contributions to propose more sustainable construction.

Keywords

• Vernacular architecture
• Sustainability
• Natural materials
• Construction techniques
• Angola