Traditional African architecture is generally associated with round mud huts and thatched roofs. In reality, African vernacular architecture is very diverse with each ethnic group having their own construction methods and designs. One of the most beautiful examples of African vernacular architecture is that of the Kassena ethnic group of southern Burkina Faso. Ever since the 16th century, the Kassena have been decorating the walls of their houses with elaborately painted murals. The painting is done exclusively by the women who pass on the skill to their daughters. The Kassena are part of the larger Gurunsi tribe who also paint houses in northern Ghana.
Defensive earth compounds of the Kassena
Defense against enemies is a central feature guiding the design of Kassena dwellings. Houses are clustered into walled compounds with each compound housing an extended family. The most famous is the Royal Cour de Tiébélé, the home of the community chief. Compounds are built far away from each other so that there is somewhere safe to escape if one falls in the hands of enemies.
Even inside the compound houses are built with defense in mind. Doors are small, especially those in the houses of elders, which prevents enemies from seeing or charging inside. Small doors and near lack of windows also help keep the houses cool in the hot climate.
Kassena houses come in different shapes and the shape reflects the social status of the occupants. Square houses are for families, circular ones for bachelors and figure-eight shaped houses for grandparents. Each compound also has grain stores and altars dedicated to the ancestors, while some of the houses in the compound are actually mausoleums for the dead. Cooking is generally done outside and so kitchens are small and simple.
The buildings are made completely from locally available natural materials. The main construction material is clay, and straw and cow dung are mixed in to make the clay stronger. The walls were traditionally shaped by hand but today molded adobe bricks are common. The walls are thick and their thermal mass helps keep the houses cool during the hot days and warm during cold nights. Modern Kassena houses often have a stone foundation. Even the furniture (shelves, chairs, beds) is often made of clay.
Roofs are flat and built with wood and earth. Mud is laid on top of a wooden structure and then a layer of dry laterite is applied on top. The laterite and mud are compacted with a stick and after this another layer of mud mixed with cow dung is added. This method makes the roofs resistant to rain, although the roofs need to be replastered every five years or so. Roofs are used for drying grains and for sleeping in hot weather.
Kassena mural painting
The Kassena are skilled potters and this skill is reflected in their sculptural buildings. The most spectacular feature of Kassena architecture is the elaborate murals that decorate each house. While construction is considered to be the men’s work, the decoration is done solely by the Kassena women, who do the work in groups. Women pass on the skill to their daughters and the tradition dates back all the way to the 16th century.
The paints are made from locally found minerals: white from chalk, black from basalt and red from laterite. The minerals are mixed with water and clay to make the paint. After painting, the wall is polished with small stones and varnished with a natural varnish made from the local néré fruit. This finish protects both the paint and the house, but every few years the painting needs to be redone, usually after harvesting and before the rainy season.
Each house is uniquely decorated with a mix of geometrical patterns, illustrative drawings and bas-reliefs, all full of symbolism. Some of the murals tell stories of Kassena folklore and beliefs while others are drawn from everyday life. Common motifs include triangular shreds of pottery, fishing nets and animals such as sacred crocodiles and protective snakes. The paintings turn each house into a canvas that tells a story of the life of the Kassena people.
