Malawi Vernacular Architecture
Documentation for Preservation
Elements must be joined together. Thatch to poles, poles to poles, poles to ridge beam, thatch to reeds, poles to walls.
Connections
Nails and wire are used when it can be afforded.
Sisal is a plant that is cut and dried. It is then used as straps.
Nails and Wire
Bark is peeled off of a tree, dried and cut into strips. Before it is used, it is soaked in water to soften up.
Bark
This man is constructing the roof structure tying the poles together. Strips of bark are used to tie the poles together.
Sisal
Another material that is taken right from the homestead.
Vines
Tires are cut into small strips and used for connections.
Tire Strips
Another material that is taken right from the homestead.
Mosquito Netting
This man is using mosquito netting cut into strips to fasten thatch to poles.
Salima, Nchingi
String is also utilized to tie pieces together and down.