Traditional housing in the Senufo environment in Folona: Typology, construction techniques and decoration.

Abstract

This article discusses traditional housing in the Senufo community of Folona. It approaches this topic through the lens of indigenous building materials and techniques. The theme raises the issue of community management of the human environment. Traditional housing is increasingly affected by socio-economic changes and climate change. Local housing construction techniques and materials are gradually being abandoned in favor of other, more foreign techniques and materials that are often ill-suited to the realities of the environment. The aim of this study is to describe the construction techniques and materials in order to establish a morphological and functional typology, as well as the decorative motifs of traditional housing in Folona. The methodology consists of a documentary review to take stock of knowledge on the subject and field investigations (direct observation) to collect qualitative data from local populations. Measurements, drawings and photographs of dwellings are taken. The results reveal that housing is an area through which the Senufo express their creative genius. It is also an important cultural element for them, characterizing the historical evolution of humanity.