Indigenous architectural style in Tigray, northern Ethiopia

Cultural amalgam is characteristic feature of Ethiopia, which embraces more than 80 diversified nations, nationalities and peoples. All ethnic groups have their own peculiar culture, language, traditions and values. Among the indigenous blessings is found traditional architectural styles. In this regard, Tigray people display astonishing and ancient masonry. Using stones and woods as well as mud as a cement they have been building their homes in a colorful manner in a style they call Hidimo.

Most of the time, the homes being built in Tigray are rectangular in shape. Flat roofs of woods painted sealants, which help parry leakage during rainy seasons, are their favorites. Sometimes, such houses could be one storey buildings having bedroom and salon. Thus, one needs staircases made of stone to ascend there.

The walls inside are decorated by local limestone. They as well are plastered by mixtures from animal dung and mud. The fabulous ceiling displays woods arranged horizontally in an artistic pattern. The wooden door is framed by well-framed stonewalls. The padlock called meshegor is mostly made of wood. At some places it is made of metal.

However, the size and architectural style, quality and size of the homes could differ from place to place based on social status of their owners. Those with modest income would build their home in small size and there will not be a chance to beautify it in an expensive way.

On the other hand, those who are wealthy would have lavish homes which boast living room, guest house, kitchen, bedrooms and courtyard. Courtyard (localy known as Dembe) is mostly prepared at the center, open space of the house. It is used to keep domestic animals and host wedding or mourning ceremony and other social events.

Not only that, traditional home construction in Tigray tasks high skill and expertise. The professional masons know what kind of building materials to use as the palms of their hand. That is why the homes endured for centuries years without losing their original features.

Yohannes Kidane, Lecturer at Addis Ababa University, Institute of Architecture says that the architectural styles and construction techniques have survived for over thousands of years. There are historical manuscripts which show that home construction techniques being practiced in Tigray was traced back to pre-Aksumite era. Ruins were found in Yeha, the capital of Da’mat Dynasty, in May Adirasha and Aksum.

‘‘Masonry had been a common practice during the Da’mat dynasty and Aksumite Kingdom. The ancient buildings, obelisks, palaces and tombs are best examples to show what kind of architectural style the Da’amatians and Aksumites had been using. Hence, the culture of masonry has continued till this time. Nowadays, Tigreans, especially those residing in rural areas of the state spectacularly build their homes using stone,’’ he adds.

As to him, the architectural style used to build homes in Tigray not only designates the culture of the society but also used to manage local weather conditions of the area. But such mesmerizing indigenous architectural styles are ceding places to modern ones in urban areas of the state. The homes being built in urban areas fail to reflect the history, culture and tradition of the people.

The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 10 November 2019

 BY TSEGAY HAGOS