ABSTRACT
Traditional building patterns are in essence a response to the physical situation of the culture to which they belong. Paul Oliver's description of indigenous rural African buildings can, in the main, be attached to all primitive forms: ‘In their construction, structure, performance, accommodation, serviceability, these are analysable buildings, relatively simple and satisfying the material needs of the community that uses them.’ 1 However, as has been described in the previous chapter, this is not to say that these buildings are without merit as some of them are not only finely tuned to their needs but satisfy them in a surprisingly sophisticated way. Nevertheless, the merit of these structures can be understood as a result of pragmatic expediency, social organisation and as a reaction to local cultural, spiritual and mythical beliefs.
