Early African Architecture/Ruins

In western part of Kenya (Nyanza Province), there are a number of old villages and settlement sites marked by dry stone walling. These settlements are referred to locally as 'Ohingni', a name that connotes an idea of a refuge in the wilderness. The 'Ohingni' literally refers to a "frightening dense forest" in Dholuo language, a Nilotic group who occupy the region. A total of 138 sites containing 521 structures exist. These are concentrated in the Kadem-Kanyamkago areas, Karungu, Gwasi and Kaksingiri Lake headlands, and in Kanyamwa and Kanyidoto areas. In these areas, the structures are distributed in particular spots giving a first sight impression of a clustered distribution pattern. While the uphill stone structures have survived the vagaries of weather, the ones on the lower side have been degraded. The stone structure enclosure has walls ranging from 1.0 to 4.2 meters in height and 1.0 to 3.0 m in width, were built of loose stones and blocks without any dressing or mortar. Within the structures are interior partitions of various kinds including: small enclosures, depressions and corridors. These were used as either as cattle kraals, pens for smaller animals or garden fence structures. Archaeological record of materials found within the site goes beyond 500 years ago.

Nubia

Nubia

Saint Damianos, Nubia

Banganarti ruins, Nubia

Dendur temple, Nubia

Temple of Debod

Temple of Dakka

Moving away from the north and toward the Bende region of Abia state in the south we see more examples of multi-storeyed buildings from traditional African architecture. The building was built with two-stories and a set of stairs. This was probably owned by a wealthy trader.

Woodpanel inside house on ground floor

Upstairs balcony

Nnobi Anambra

Owere people

Ngwo people house diagram  

The capital of one of the Funj mekdoms, which ruled between the 17th-19th centuries. Al Khandaq, on the left side of the Nile, had in the past been an important junction for trade routes to Egypt. The site includes the castle, the town and the cemetery. The castle was built on a high area facing the Nile, its walls were battlemented and had towers. The material used are stones, mud brick and mud (jaloos).

The town, with its two-storey mud-brick houses, extended for nearly half a mile along the river and was surrounded by mud wall whose remains were visible in the early 20th century. The interior decoration include a keel arch, tri-lobed arched windows beside the wall recessed shelves.

The old cemetery lies to the north of the town, and comprises three conical qubbas (domed tombs) of stone and mud, and remains of rectangular structures which might had been small mosques, as there are small mihrab niches indicating the qibla.direction. These were built of mud-mortared stone.

No roofs can be seen today, nor evidence of the material used for roofing, but in accordance with general practice in the area, roofs would have been of palm leaves and logs. It was the home of many, rich merchants. It became the main port for Darfur and Kordofan caravans who chose the Nubian route to Egypt. Thus Khandaq became connected to regional and international trade along the Nile.

Building in Foumban, Cameroon

Palace of the chief of Foumban

Details of a Bamileke wall

Palace of the chief of Bali

Palace of Bandjoun on right side

Bondoukou, Ivory Coast. Residence of the religious chief Almani

House of Kofi, Akan chief of  Abengourou, Ivory Coast

Residence of the chief of Dosso, Niger

Sketch of Benin city

Ruins of Gao mosque

Malinese houses