Koutammakou, Land of the Batammariba

The AIA UK Board is ever endeavouring to find new and varied Continuing Education opportunities for its members, either generated by our own internal resources or via collaboration with other organisations.

In mid-July, the Board was alerted that the World Monument Fund was presenting a lecture on the preservation of African vernacular architecture for which the AIA NY Chapter had already arranged CE credits.  A chance to broaden our membership’s architectural experience with a lecture on a different (and sustainable) technology in a diverse culture could not be missed.  Although working within a short 3-day lead period, the Board was able to contact WMF London; establish AIA UK as a supporter; issue an invitation to our membership; and publicise the event on social media - all just in time for the 15 July event. 

The Batammariba tribe of modern-day Benin and Togo has a strong cultural identity ‘anchored in their building traditions’, in particular through their ‘takienta’ or traditional house – now used primarily for ceremonial purposes.  A Takienta typically consists of 8 cylindrical structures dedicated to different living functions – kitchens, bedrooms, storerooms, granaries, etc. - all held together by a continuous mud wall.  

According to the WMF, the Batammariba tribal name translates as ‘those who are the real architects of earth’. 

The hour lecture, presented by Steve Battle, WMF Principal Project Director, and Ibrahim Tchan, Executive Director Benin Corps of Volunteers, explained how the building of these fascinating structures was not only an exercise in technology, but also one of understanding culture.   Through the eyes of the Batammariba, architecture and culture become inseparable. 

If the short notice and unusual time frame – 5:00pm in line with NY lunch time lectures – made viewing the live lecture inconvenient, it available in full on YouTube via the WMF website HERE .  {Please note that the WMF is a charitable organisation and would welcome any donations for this worthy project.}  

Pleased that obtaining CE credits for this lecture proved to be straightforward, the AIA UK Board is currently in discussion with the WMF London on the potential promotion of their other local and international initiatives, with – we can only hope – longer notice periods for the viewer’s convenience. 

Written by: Lorraine King, AIA 

All images curtesy of WORLD MONUMENT FUND