Architecture
and Construction in the 30's
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Construction
in the Sherbro Island area the 1930's was mainly for
domestic use; however, structures were built as farm
shelters, fishing
shelters known as shimbek,
community
meeting places,
or for religious
and ritual use.
Shimbek
were intended to house families during the fishing season
and provide space for storing and smoking fish.
Round
house without a verandah. The conical roof
usually has a lightning rod, carrying
charms against the effects of
thunderstorms. Sherbro Island. Probably
Yoni, Sitia Chiefdom.
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House-building was the work of women and men. Men built the
framework of a house, or other structure, and put a thatch
roof of palm leaves on it. Women plastered and finished the
wall surfaces. Hall wrote about this process:
Men
erect the framework of the houses and put on the thatch. The
skeleton of the walls is formed by crosspieces tied to
numerous uprights. No nails or pegs are used in the
construction. At all junctions of cross-pieces and uprights
a lashing of withes is employed. The daubing of the walls
with coarse clay and the finishing of the surface with a
wash made from clay of the same or a different colour is
done by the women. In places where clay is not obtainable,
as it is not in a great part of the interior of Sherbro
Island, walls are of coarse matting. This is made by the men
and is also used for ceilings. The women make the finer mats
which are used to cover the earth floor and the beds.
Houses
were usually round or rectangular with a veranda. According
to Hall, a typical dwelling had three rooms--one on each
side of the third. The latter was narrow and hall-like, and
had a door at each end.
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