Transcript
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT (FNBE)
Name: Siong Jia YiiStudent ID: 0318239
Module: Effective Public Communication [COM30103]
Assignment: Oral Presentation (Part 1)
Topic 1(a): Traditional dwellings around the world
Kingdom of LESOTHO
An enclave landlocked and mountainous country surrounded by Republic of South Africa
Size: 30,000 km2 Population: 2 million Capital: Maseru Languages: Sesotho & English Religion: Christian(90%) &
Indigenous beliefs(10%)
A rondavel is a traditional African dwelling with conical thatched roof.
The traditional dwelling can be described as a cone-on-cylinder
type of structure.
Outside walls of the huts as well as these interlinking
ones are decorated with different colours of clay,
mostly in geometrical patterns.
Mural decorations of huts are done by women called “litem”.
- Many of mokhoro are usually plain as well with a little of ornamentation used such as the geometrical patterns on the interior wall.
Lesotho’s Traditional Village
Located up in the mountains and well structured around river valleys.
Divided into 4 separated structures. Dwellings are linked to one another and separated from other
units by walling. A meeting place called “Khotla” will be placed in the centre.
Types of Materials Used
Thatched Roof
Floor Mixture of dung
Spars or poles from tree limbs, Maseea grass
Sewn to the poles with grass rope
Types of Materials Used
Wall Stones, plastered with clay, lately of mud brick
Mortar Sand, soil and cow dung
Function of Thatched Roof
• Keeps the inside cool during summer• Traps heat during winter• Water cannot seeping through
Conclusion
Mokhoro are structures that made entirely of materials from earth which started to build in 16th century.
In recent times, with the availability of modern construction materials, the appearance and construction of rondavels has changed and equipped with systems.
The old traditional mokhoro should be preserved.
References
• Lesotho - Religions. (2007). Retrieved from Nationsencyclopedia: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Lesotho-RELIGIONS.html
• Lesotho. (2013, October). Retrieved from Infoplease: http://www.infoplease.com/country/lesotho.html
• Allan, N. T. (2003, October 30). Retrieved from Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/10429032@N08/1397004526/in/photostream/
• Basotho homes in Lesotho, South Africa. (n.d.). Retrieved from Natural Homes: http://naturalhomes.org/timeline/basotho.htm
• Lesotho. (n.d.). Retrieved from Lonely planet: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/lesotho/history• Lesotho Its people, issues and history. (n.d.). Retrieved from Africa:
http://africa.co.ls/aboutLesotho.html• People & Society. (n.d.). Retrieved from Journeymart:
http://www.journeymart.com/DExplorer/Africa/lesotho/cipeople.htm• TODDARD, P. A. (2006). Lesotho. Retrieved from every culture:
http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Lesotho.html• Zijlma, A. (n.d.). Lesotho Facts and Information. Retrieved from About travel:
http://goafrica.about.com/od/lesotho/a/Lesotho-Facts-And-Information.htm• Van Schalkwyk, J. "Sotho." Encyclopedia of World Cultures Supplement. 2002. Retrieved
January 17, 2015 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3458100092.html
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