Malawi Vernacular Architecture
Documentation for Preservation
Dedza
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Mpita village:
The structures in this compond are constructed with mud plastered over reeds which are tied together to create a form.
Santhe village:
This compound has a double kitchen and a grainery. There is a new thatch fence constructed and it is quite obvious viewing the new vs. the old. Thatch over time turns a greyish brown.
Mbambake village:
The majority of the homes in this village were constructed using mud. No poles, reeds or bamboo were used as support. Just clumps of mud piled on top of each other, left to dry and repeated till the desired height is met. The owners staeted that these structures were over 10 years old. Some brick structures were torn down and broken up to be re-used..
Linthipe village:
Reeds for the roof are being applied. This home has no windows due to security concerns. The straps that are used to tie the reeds down are from the sisal plant, cut in strips and dried..
Masukwa village:
This homestead has a grainery that was very different than most graineries in Malawi. Reeds were tied together to create a bundle which was then stacked on top of each other and tied. The owner said the construction only took one day which is much shorter time period then grainery which is weaved .
Ngolomoti village:
This house is constructed of burmt brick. A front porch has 2 brick columns supporting the blue gum pole. Tire straps are used to connect the roof poles.The grainery has a base that is plastered over.
Chimbaya village:
A decorative fence around a compound. Very unique is the vertical thatch going past the height of the wall.
Chiole village:
These 2 homes are being constructed using rammed earth. The exteriors weere plastered and plastering in the interior was just beginning. There were no gun poles set in the ground to support the roof. As a result the porch will have just a small overhang for protection.
Kapusu village:
This home is a typical house in this area. The wood pole supporting the roof over the porch was a small detail observed in this area. This area has a lot of homesteads enclosed with fences. Many of these had the back of the house facing the road, this one had the door facing the road. The owner stated that she "wanted to see what her neighbors were up to". The wood supports rising over the fence was an unique detail.
Kakhome village:
This home was plastered with mud from a nearby river. The grainery has a thatched roof element..
Close up of a grainery showing the weaving pattern.
A new reed fence placed next to an existing one that has aged, evident in the difference in color.
Close up showing a wall constructed with a frame of wood and reeds then plastered with mud.
The main roof beams are supported by vertical poles with mud om poles framed inbetween.
A circular latrine in a homestead, constructed of mud plastered over reeds.
Top of thatch roof that is tied to a stick to finish the thatching and prevent leakage.
This room is constructed purely from mud. There is no frame at all, just mud piled on top of each other.
Goat pen constructed by cutting gum poles in 1/2. The floor is raised by placing the floor on rocks.
A fence bring constructed of reeds placed vertically and tied horizontaly to a piece of wood.
Close up of a grainery. The bundles are tied together with bark straps.
The bundles are stacked upon on each and tied to each other.
A grainery that is constructed using bundles of thatch.
The straps come from cutting the leaves of the sisal plant and letting them dry.
These are straps that will be used to tie poles together.
This reed fence has trees as vertical supports.
This grainery has a base that is plastered.
This home has an orange painted base and a wood pole for support.
Outside corner of the rammed earth structure The raised pedestal is big enough for people to sit on.
Bamboo poles are ready to be connected to the structure and will serve as the roof structure.
The wall is plastered to a certain height. Waiting for the top layer of rammed earth to dry.
The door opening has a wood plank as a lintel. A door and frame will be added.
The homestead fence has some decorative features.
Close up of a grainery base. A reed floor is plastered over and raised off the ground on rocks.
The roof structure, the poles are tied together with tire straps.
The kitchen is constructed of burnt brick.
Download all the pictures from Dedza district on my Flickr gallery.
