The involvement of local communities in the conservation process of earthen architecture in the Sahel-Sahara region – the case of Djenné, Mali

Abstract

Recently, many cultural aspects of some African countries have been in danger of being lost due to cultural disruptions, nonadaptive construction techniques and a lack of adequate conservation systems and strategies. These include the well-known manuscripts of Timbuktu (Tombouctou) as well as architecture, languages, beads, textiles, costumes and other cultural objects. Immaterial heritage, such as oral history, traditional music, instruments and dance, is also affected.In the northwestern part of Africa, the so-called Sahel-Sahara region, earthen architecture has played an important role in cultural identity and has been a key means of community establishment. This architectural heritage includes a wide variety of creations ranging from simple houses, granaries, and palaces to religious buildings, urban centres, cultural landscapes and archaeological sites. By studying northwestern African cultural heritage and cultural exchanges during trans-Saharan trade, we can benefit from traditional knowledge and use these teachings to build a sustainable knowledge system for earthen architecture conservation. This work is urgent since these structures are in danger of being lost, destroyed, badly conserved, or not documented.The aim of this research is to point out, through an anthropological approach, the importance of local community involvement in the conservation process. This research is based on a comparative study of different earthen architecture conservation spaces within the abovementioned region that have been important and were influenced by cultural exchanges during trans-Saharan trade. In these historical towns, some architectural heritage sites have been abandoned and are in ruins, while others have been preserved solely as tourist attractions. In this paper, I introduce the case of Djenné to share our research approach. This paper provides insight into earthen architecture conservation issues and how local communities have used tangible and intangible methods to preserve cultural heritage.

Spatial Evolution of Traditional Village Dwellings in Heilongjiang Province

“…Through the understanding and absorption of these papers in the process of writing this one, the connotation of Heilongjiang traditional culture gradually emerged, and especially the degree of the influence of immigrant culture on the province. In the process of heritage protection, we should not only unilaterally pursue its essence, but also comprehensively consider the issues to achieve economic and social sustainability [20,21].…”

Use of Audiovisual Methods and Documentary Film for the Preservation and Reappraisal of the Vernacular Architectural Heritage of the State of Michoacan, Mexico

“…On the other hand, the interviews with the local users of the vernacular constructions can be also used as a historical record that could help other disciplines to understand all the social changes that are happening in our times. Additionally, the reflections of the interviewees bring an anthropological approach to the conservation issues, helping to understand the cultural significance of the local architectures [88]. For instance, the heirs of the trojes keep track of the generations which have inhabited the house, and are conserving them as a familiar legacy (see Figure 22).…”

Development and Intervention Proposal with Earthen Refurbishments with Vegetal Origin Gel (VOG) for the Preservation of Traditional Adobe Buildings

“…The second stage of the research focused on the application of earthen mixtures in case studies with conservation demands. The participative methods and the involvement of local communities with their own heritage conservation were included as key factors in the project [47], to search for a more collaborative approach. This approach was achieved through the cooperation project entitled "Diagnosis of traditional constructions and intervention proposal with earthen refurbishments stabilized with vegetal origin gels (VOGs)", which was carried out by the Barcelona School of Building Construction-Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (EPSEB-UPC) in collaboration with the Faculty of Civil Engineering-Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (FIC-UMSNH).…”

“…With the experimental part completed in the laboratory, the purpose of the research was to apply the designed earthen mixtures to real traditional buildings to observe the performance and protect these structures from the surrounding environment. As discussed before, the case study that was selected was the community of Santa Ana Chapitiro in Michoacan, Mexico, and the vision of the project included the participative design of the houses' inhabitants and users [47]. Even though most of the houses had mixed systems and poor construction solutions, most of the walls were built with adobe masonry.…”