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They Call It Hut, We Call It Home: Reconsidering African Architecture by Doore Dasi

They Call It Hut, We Call It Home: Reconsidering African Architecture by Doore Dasi

Isn't it time to reevaluate African architecture and the way our cities are being developed? Often, African cities resemble Western cities, with high buildings stacked upon one another. But in a world where the traditional hut has been wrongly branded as a symbol of underdevelopment, old buildings are being demolished and replaced by modern skyscrapers. Sadly, many African people no longer want to be associated with the hut—unless it’s in a tropical paradise like Bora Bora—and have become embarrassed by it.

Benefits of Mud Buildings: Embracing Tradition with Modern Innovation

In the rush to adopt Western-style architecture, many African cities are mimicking European and American designs, using the same building materials without questioning their environmental impact. But we often overlook the unique benefits of traditional mud huts and the incredible advantages they offer.

  • Eco-Friendly Construction: Mud huts are made from all-natural materials, offering a zero carbon footprint. By utilizing earth-based materials, they are in harmony with nature, reducing the environmental cost of construction.
  • Health Benefits: Sleeping on mud floors can help ease back pain and improve posture, providing natural comfort that modern materials often cannot.
  • Natural Air Conditioning: Mud has excellent thermal insulation properties, keeping huts warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing the need for electricity-consuming air conditioning systems.
  • Community and Unity: Traditional huts historically promoted a sense of community, where villagers gathered in shared spaces, fostering cooperation and unity in the village.

Imagine combining these benefits of traditional mud huts with the modern comforts we all enjoy—Wi-Fi, electricity, and other technologies. This blend of old and new could provide sustainable, functional homes while staying true to our heritage.

Why Are Mud Houses Round?

There’s a deep significance behind the round shape of traditional huts. It reflects the circular rhythm of indigenous cultures, where social gatherings and councils were held in circles. In this setting, no one is at the end or in a corner, promoting equality and unity. Moreover, the round design makes huts more resistant to strong winds, and the structure allows rainwater to flow smoothly around the building, preventing water damage.

Sadly, the skills and crafts required to build these traditional huts are disappearing, and they can now only be found in a few rural villages. This decline is likely due to the media’s portrayal of a poor, pre-civilized Africa, where the hut is mistakenly equated with poverty. Doore Dasi strongly disagrees with this narrative, and that is why we created the Hairat African Hut Pendant.

Hairat African Hut Pendant: A Symbol of Heritage and Harmony

At Doore Dasi, we celebrate African heritage and strive to remind the world of the wisdom behind traditional architecture. The Hairat African Hut Pendant - Gold Plated with NYA GYIDIE Symbol - is a tribute to the ingenuity and sustainability of the African hut. This pendant combines modern elegance with a deep cultural significance, symbolizing protection, prosperity, and balance with nature.

In a world where the environment is increasingly at risk, Doore Dasi wants to highlight the fundamental purpose of traditional houses: to live in harmony with nature rather than against it. The hut is an extension of nature, temporarily using the earth’s resources to provide shelter while allowing nature to thrive in its own space.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Our Heritage with Doore Dasi

At Doore Dasi, we believe in the power of traditional African architecture and the importance of preserving our cultural roots. Our Hairat African Hut Pendant is more than just a beautiful piece of African-inspired jewellery—it’s a reminder that c is rich, sustainable, and connected to the environment. This pendant symbolizes the wisdom of living in harmony with nature, and its design honors the legacy of the African hut as an enduring symbol of unity, community, and connection to the earth.

Join Doore Dasi in reclaiming the beauty and significance of African heritage with our unique African jewellery pieces. Shop now to embrace your heritage and wear a symbol of cultural pride with the Hairat African Hut Pendant.

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