Eglash - Fuller

Eglash draws an interesting picture of African architecture. The aspects of location, religious beliefs, and livelihood were all drawn out as inspiration for these architectural designs. These layouts reflect on social structure and deep-rooted beliefs about themselves. I found most interesting the different methods of organization of these living units: in the Kotoko households, we see that the structures reflect patrilineage, where newer families and households build themselves around an older family. In the Nankani household, however, the focus is far more spiritually defined, and the ideas of the masculine and feminine are played out, with the feminine being at the core of the architectural structure. These approaches are almost completely opposite - one focuses on the basic family unit, and the other focuses on the religious undertones of the feminine and masculine dichotomy. I also found interesting that the different groups described by Eglash pick and choose elements of their own culture that are important to them, and build these structures that reflect their ideas and society in such a transparent and unified way.