Homestead

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CONSTRUCTING A HUT

The hut is beehive shaped, and is constructed by the men of the kraal. They make a framework of flexible saplings. Over this, the women lay grass mats which are firmly secured with thick grass ropes. The floor is made of clay and cowdung, and is polished by the women with a stone.

This creates a hard surface, which is often polished with animal fat to create a sheen. The door is a small wooden screen which can be closed by securing it with a pole from the outside of the hut. Ventilation is by means of the air circulating through the door and filtering out through the thatch. The hut is even portable - when it needs to be moved, the men loosen the soil around the sapling stakes, pick it up, and 'walk' it to its new location.

INSIDE THE HUT

The hut is divided with the right side for men, the left side for women, and the back, storage area for connection with the spirits (msamo). The hearth is in the centre, and all the meals are cooked here. The family sit on goat skins, and sleep on mats of woven river rushes. These mats are rolled up and stored during the day.

STRUCTURE OF THE KRAAL/UMUZI

The huts form a circle, and it is possible to tell the importance of people, from their proximity to the induna's (chief's) hut. When a person comes of age, he or she is given a hut of their own. Most sons start their own kraal, as only the first-born of the induna's chief wife stands a good chance of inheriting the existing kraal.

There are 3 entrances to the kraal. The induna's hut is at the centre, back. To his right are his chief wife's huts. To his left are his lesser wives' huts. Towards the front are the huts of the son's who stay on in his kraal. The centre is an enclosure for cattle.

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