DOCUMENTATION OF LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL VOCABULARIES FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING COMPONENTS IN YORUBA CULTURES
Keywords:
architectural documentation, building components, culture, Yoruba culture
Abstract
Cultural architectural vocabularies are not only rich but diverse and they usually reflect their unique cultural expressions. These vocabularies cut across all building components, such as; roof structures, walling and flooring systems, finishes, materials, and a host of others. This study documents local architectural vocabularies for residential building components in Nigeria cultures with focus on Yoruba residential buildings in Oyo State. Using qualitative research approach, traditional building components of Yoruba residential buildings were identified, and their features documented. The cultural and historical significance were analysed. The building layout, room divisions, structural systems, roof forms, wall treatments, and decorative motifs were identified as the key Yoruba architectural elements. Thirty-five (35) building components were identified and the pictorial and yoruba language interpretations were documented in a tabular form “See table 3.1”. The alignment of buildings with the cardinal points reflects the spiritual significance and connection with the natural world. The decorative motifs used in Oyo architecture hold symbolic meanings. The "adinkra" motif represents the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. Modernization, urbanization, and socio-economic changes pose threats to the continuity of traditional building practices. The increasing use of modern building materials and standardized construction methods diminishes the authenticity and uniqueness of Oyo architecture. The documentation of thesevocabularies is essential for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage,as well as for the development of sustainable building practices that are rooted in local traditions. The findings of theresearch highlight the cultural significance and symbolism embedded within the architectural vocabularies of the Oyo tribe.
References
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Lawuyi, O. (2013). The Yoruba dwelling space: Form, order, meaning. In Housing in Urban Africa: New Approaches to Theory and Practice (pp. 37-58). Routledge.
Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage Publications.
Morton-Williams, P. (1975). The Yoruba town as a work of art. In African Architecture: Proceedings of the Symposium Held at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, January 1966 (pp. 63-76). Cambridge University Press.
Odeyinka, H. A., Oyediran, I. A., & Oyeyinka, S. A. (2018). Participatory design approach to documentation of architectural vocabularies of Nigerian cultures. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 8(1), 13-25
Odufuwa, B., Adeyemo, I., & Ogunsemi, D. (2018). Appraisal of the use of pre-designed building components in Nigeria. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 23(2), 47-65
Ojo, G. J. (n.d.). Traditional Yoruba Architecture. African Arts, 1(3), 14–72. Retrieved 1 21, 2023
Okechukwu, C. O., Akaegbobi, I. M., & Ike, O. C. (2021). Historical Architectural Heritage Documentation in Nigeria: A Review of the Challenges and Prospects. Journal of History and Culture, 9(2), 18-28.
Ola-Adisa, E. O., & Akinpelu, M. A. (2014). An appraisal of Yoruba traditional architecture in Southwest Nigeria. Journal of Culture, Society and Development, 10, 1-14.
Ola-Adisa, E. O., Adetunji, I. A., & Olanrewaju, O. S. (2016). Architectural documentation: the need for indigenous language. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 5(2), 56-62
Olajide, S. E., & Fakere, A. (2014). The documentation of Yoruba traditional architectural elements. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(11), 3084-3088.
Olatunji, O., & Adeyemi, I. (2018). The role of indigenous language in architecture: A case of Yoruba language in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 2(1), 17-23
Oluwafemi, A. (2014). The importance of indigenous architecture in sustainable development. International Journal of Architectural Research, 8(1), 118-129.
Omotoso, O., & Okoye, P. U. (2017). The Urgent Need for Architectural Heritage Documentation in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 3(1), 35-44.
Owolabi, T. A. (2019). Traditional Architecture in Nigeria: Understanding Its Historical Development and Significance. Journal of African Cultural Heritage Studies, 1(1), 33-48
Oyebode, S. A. (2006). The architectural heritage of the Yoruba: A study of traditional Yoruba building types. Journal of Arts and Culture, 1(1), 1-13.
Oyelola, O. T., et al. (2020). Traditional architectural vocabularies of Yoruba residential buildings. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 9(4), 605-610.
Slattery, K. (n.d.). The Igbo People – Origins & History. Retrieved 1 21, 2023, from School of English, Queen's University of Belfast: http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~legneref/igbo/igbo1.htm
Smith, R. F. (1988). Kingdoms of the Yoruba. University of Wisconsin Press.
Wertheimer, M. (1923). Untersuchungen zur Lehre von der Gestalt. II. Psychologische Forschung, 4(1), 301-350.
Ademiluyi, I. A., & Ede, A. N. (2020). Cultural Significance of Traditional Residential Building Components: A Study of Selected Nigerian Cultures. Journal of Architectural Research, 17(3), 236-255.
Ademiluyi, I. A., & Ojo, M. A. (2016). Documentation of local architectural vocabularies: A tool for sustainable development in Nigeria. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 6(1), 44-57.
Adeniji, T., & Badejo, A. (2016). Documentation of Traditional Architecture of Yoruba People in Nigeria: A Case Study of Abeokuta. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 5(5), 233-239.
Adeniyi, O. A. (2018). The architecture of the Yoruba: A study of the Opa-Oran and Opa-Ogodo. Journal of Building Performance, 2(1), 1-14.
Adetoye, A. T., Durodola, O. D., Oyedele, L. O., Owolabi, J. D., & Ayo-Vaughan, E. A. (2018). Evaluation of the use of local building materials in the construction of residential buildings in Nigeria. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(9), 04018079.
Adetunji, I. A., Oluwole, O. O., & Owolabi, J. D. (2017). A review of 3D scanning technology in architecture and cultural heritage. Journal of Building Performance, 8(1), 12-19.
Adeyemi, A. A., & Jimoh, R. G. (2017). The role of indigenous language in the documentation of architectural heritage in Nigeria. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 6(3), 58-64.
Adeyemi, I., & Olatunji, O. (2016). Documentation of traditional architectural vocabularies for residential building components in Nigerian cultures. Journal of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, 1(1), 55-66.
Adeyemi, S. O. (2018). An appraisal of indigenous architecture in Nigeria: A case study of Yoruba traditional architecture. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 8(1), 1-16.
Adeyemo, D. (2014). Traditional Yoruba Architecture: A Study of Elements and Forms. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 7(3), 180-199.
Adeyemo, D. (2017). The documentation of indigenous architectural heritage in Nigeria: A case study of the Oyo Empire. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 7(4), 378-392.
Adeyemo, D. A. (2014). Indigenous architecture in Nigeria: A study of two cultures. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 26(1), 55-66.
Adeyinka, O. (2019). Historical buildings and cultural heritage in Nigeria: A case for preservation. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 9(4), 394-406.
Aina, O. B., & Mofolorunso, G. A. (2021). Architectural documentation of vernacular buildings in Nigeria: An assessment of methods and tools. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 11(2), 238-253.
Aina, O. O. (2017). Traditional architecture and climate-responsive design in Nigeria: The Yoruba example. Sustainable Cities and Society, 28, 99-106.
Ajayi, C. A., & Ademiluyi, O. A. (2017). Traditional building materials and construction techniques in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development, 10(5), 80-96.
Ajayi, O. O., & Adedeji, O. H. (2018). Traditional architecture in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects for sustainable development. Journal of Architecture and Built Environment, 1(1), 1-12.
Akinwumi, O. (2005). Yoruba history and culture: A synthesis. In African history and culture (pp. 115-142). M. E. Sharpe
Ali, M. S., & Bello, I. A. (2016). Traditional Building Materials and Techniques in the Construction of Hausa Vernacular Architecture. Journal of Sustainable Development, 9(1), 103-115.
Ancient architecture"World Architecture - Global Buildings by Country - e-architect." https://www.e-architect.com/world-architecture."Components of building - Building Materials and Construction - SlideShare." 2 Mar. 2021, https://www.slideshare.net/GeevaChandana/components-of-building-building-materials-and-construction.
Babalola, F. A., & Oluwadare, O. O. (2017). Documentation of traditional building technology in Yoruba architecture. Journal of Sustainable
Beier, U. (1957). Yoruba sculpture in Nigeria. Thames & Hudson.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.
Culture of Nigeria - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family. (n.d.). Retrieved 1 21, 2023, from http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html#ixzz4RSmKMUM7
Egbu, C. O. (2016). Indigenous Architecture and Urbanism in Africa: Designing for Social Impact. International Journal of Architectural Research, 10(2), 222-234.
Falola, T., & Heaton, M. M. (2008). A history of Nigeria. Cambridge University Press.
Lawal, B. (2014). Visual arts and the Yoruba cultural sphere. In A Companion to Modern African Art (pp. 49-72). Wiley-Blackwell.
Lawal, M. O., Odusami, K. T., Afolayan, J. O., & Oluwatayo, A. A. (2019). The Role of Documentation of Indigenous Architectural Vocabulary on Sustainable Development in Nigeria. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 10(4), 179-189.
Lawuyi, O. (2013). The Yoruba dwelling space: Form, order, meaning. In Housing in Urban Africa: New Approaches to Theory and Practice (pp. 37-58). Routledge.
Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage Publications.
Morton-Williams, P. (1975). The Yoruba town as a work of art. In African Architecture: Proceedings of the Symposium Held at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, January 1966 (pp. 63-76). Cambridge University Press.
Odeyinka, H. A., Oyediran, I. A., & Oyeyinka, S. A. (2018). Participatory design approach to documentation of architectural vocabularies of Nigerian cultures. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 8(1), 13-25
Odufuwa, B., Adeyemo, I., & Ogunsemi, D. (2018). Appraisal of the use of pre-designed building components in Nigeria. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 23(2), 47-65
Ojo, G. J. (n.d.). Traditional Yoruba Architecture. African Arts, 1(3), 14–72. Retrieved 1 21, 2023
Okechukwu, C. O., Akaegbobi, I. M., & Ike, O. C. (2021). Historical Architectural Heritage Documentation in Nigeria: A Review of the Challenges and Prospects. Journal of History and Culture, 9(2), 18-28.
Ola-Adisa, E. O., & Akinpelu, M. A. (2014). An appraisal of Yoruba traditional architecture in Southwest Nigeria. Journal of Culture, Society and Development, 10, 1-14.
Ola-Adisa, E. O., Adetunji, I. A., & Olanrewaju, O. S. (2016). Architectural documentation: the need for indigenous language. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 5(2), 56-62
Olajide, S. E., & Fakere, A. (2014). The documentation of Yoruba traditional architectural elements. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(11), 3084-3088.
Olatunji, O., & Adeyemi, I. (2018). The role of indigenous language in architecture: A case of Yoruba language in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 2(1), 17-23
Oluwafemi, A. (2014). The importance of indigenous architecture in sustainable development. International Journal of Architectural Research, 8(1), 118-129.
Omotoso, O., & Okoye, P. U. (2017). The Urgent Need for Architectural Heritage Documentation in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 3(1), 35-44.
Owolabi, T. A. (2019). Traditional Architecture in Nigeria: Understanding Its Historical Development and Significance. Journal of African Cultural Heritage Studies, 1(1), 33-48
Oyebode, S. A. (2006). The architectural heritage of the Yoruba: A study of traditional Yoruba building types. Journal of Arts and Culture, 1(1), 1-13.
Oyelola, O. T., et al. (2020). Traditional architectural vocabularies of Yoruba residential buildings. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 9(4), 605-610.
Slattery, K. (n.d.). The Igbo People – Origins & History. Retrieved 1 21, 2023, from School of English, Queen's University of Belfast: http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~legneref/igbo/igbo1.htm
Smith, R. F. (1988). Kingdoms of the Yoruba. University of Wisconsin Press.
Wertheimer, M. (1923). Untersuchungen zur Lehre von der Gestalt. II. Psychologische Forschung, 4(1), 301-350.
Published
2022-02-28
How to Cite
IbitoyeO. A., SolomonB. A., AfolabiT. A., & OyewoleA. (2022). DOCUMENTATION OF LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL VOCABULARIES FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING COMPONENTS IN YORUBA CULTURES. FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 6(1), 404 - 414. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2021-0601-2037
Section
Research Articles
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