“That Is Still our Tradition but in a Modern Form, but it Still Tells our Story”: Transitions in Buildings in Northern Ghana
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Date
2023
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Publisher
Journal of African Cultural Studies
Abstract
Traditional building practices, which are typically regarded as
repositories of heritage and material culture, are undergoing
significant transitions in northern Ghana. This transition is evident
in the use of building materials other than locally accessible
traditional materials. These transitions are driving creativity and
innovation as households strive for continuity of tradition, while
at the same time, ensuring the sustainability of their buildings.
This article analyses the architectural traditions and building
practices in northern Ghana using the building work and
commentaries of the people of Gbabshe in peri-urban Tamale as
a case study. The results show that building practices are
transitioning because of environmental changes, migration,
wealth accumulation and access to modern building materials
and technology. As the peri-urban community becomes
urbanised, the people encounter “modern” building styles, which
are appropriated into their traditional architecture, resulting in a
hybridization of architecture. The innovative tendencies and
philosophical continuities of these builders, and the desire to
achieve sustainable buildings and the hybridization of
Architecture has implications for the future of earth buildings’
relevance, resilience, sustainability, and sociocultural significance
in people’s everyday lives.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
hybridity, Traditional architecture, Ghana