Traditional Dwelling

Preface

Traditionally, Rwandan homesteads were scattered among the hills. Members of the same nuclear or extended family grouped together in neighboring residences situated on the top or side of hills offering majestic views of small valleys and lowlands.
Around the residences, banana groves and various other crops were grown for family consumption and also for commercial purposes when the harvest was especially good. In addition to cultivated farmland, families also had land that was left fallow and pasture land.

The organization of space and exploitation of environmental systems were quite unique to the Great-Lakes region and have attracted many explorers and the first European colonizers. They were quite amazed by the diversity of the types of residences varying by specific region and by social level. The main attraction was the residence of King Yuhi V Musinga in Nyanza. It was like a labyrinth made of sixteen interlaced huts within a vast compound; each hut having a specific function. The royal court was the central location of intellectual and artistic life. Cultural events, notably artistic and literary creations were at the heart of court life.

This publication describes specific regional differences and offers information about the design of the largest of the huts built for King Yuhi V Musinga. Fantastic illustrations and pictures of the landscape testify to the genius of the Rwandan architects. They also reveal the delicacy of the mainly vegetal materials that were used. The problem of preserving materials that quickly perish is a challenge that must be overcome with our general preservation policies.

We are very grateful for this publication for it meets the needs of the growing number of both national and international visitors to the Rukari site. This book will help the reader to discover these aspects of Rwandan material culture and thus will meet the needs of the future tourist-explorers. This book is available in libraries and travel agencies in both Belgium and Rwanda.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<Back to TITLES>