316 VILLAGES 



strengthened by thorn bushes. Near the coast, 

 and in the marshy areas flooded in the rainy 

 season, the huts are erected on platforms supported 

 by upright piles from eight to fifteen feet high. 

 They vary in form, but the circular type is that 

 which finds most favour, those erected on piles 

 being almost invariably oblong. 



The construction of the dwelling is an under- 

 taking requiring much care and deliberation if it 

 be intended as a permanent place of abode. First 

 of all, the roof is carefully made. This consists 

 of a large frame of light straight poles all radiating 

 from a common centre or apex. They are fashioned 

 into the shape of a cone, and kept in position by 

 circles of split bamboos, the circles growing in 

 diameter as the base is approached, and the poles 

 being secured to them by the fibrous fronds of the 

 small phoenix palm. The skeleton of the roof being 

 now completed, it is set aside, and the measure- 

 ments for the walls are taken from it. The body 

 of the edifice is now proceeded with. Strong stakes 

 of the Mtdwelewe * tree, if it can be obtained, five 

 or six feet long, are pointed and driven about 

 eighteen inches into the ground, so as to form a 

 circle having a diameter of ten to twelve feet. 

 Around this circle of stakes more split bamboos 

 are secured, both inside and out, thus maintaining 

 the shell of the house in position. At this stage 

 the hut looks like a vast, empty, lidless basket. 

 Now mud is kneaded carefully by the women, and 

 plastered all over the inside, and in some cases the 

 outside also, and a flooring of mud is laid down 



* Brachystegia longifolia . 



