South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoples — John Shaqi
South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoplesDavidson, Hannah Frances
History
South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoples
Davidson, Hannah Frances
Brethren in Christ Church -- Missions; Missions -- Rhodesia; Ndebele (African people); Tsonga (African people)
A trench about fifteen inches deep is dug the size and shape of the
desired hut. In this are placed, near together, poles from the forest,
space being allowed for doors and windows and sometimes for fireplace.
The poles are cut out so as to extend about eight feet above ground.
Large ones are sawed lengthwise for door posts and window frames. Some
flexible poles are nailed around the top and about halfway up the side,
so that the walls of the hut are firmly fastened together. Longer poles
are then used as rafters, these being firmly fastened to the walls and
nailed together at the top. Small, flexible ones are also used as lath
to fasten the rafters together and upon which to tie the grass in
thatching. The grass used for this purpose grows in abundance among
these rocks, and sometimes reaches the height of eight feet. The women
cut this and bring it in bundles, glad to exchange it for a little salt.
It is first combed by means of spikes driven through a board. It is then
divided into small bundles; the lower ends being placed evenly together,
and the bundles tied closely together on the lath with tarred rope. The
next layer is placed over this like shingles, so as to cover the place
of tying. When completed the thickness of grass on the eaves of the roof
is from four to ten inches. Then follows the plastering. The mud or
plaster is made from earth which had been worked over by white ants.
This, pounded fine and mixed with water, makes an excellent plaster, and
when placed on the walls it soon dries and becomes very hard. The native
women put this on the outside with their hands, as the walls are too
uneven to allow the use of a trowel. Similar earth, mixed with sand, is
used as mortar in building with brick and stone. The floors also are of
this earth pounded hard and polished.
The windows have either small panes of glass or muslin stretched on a
frame, and the doors boast of imported timber brought from Bulawayo.
Each hut is about as large as an average-sized room. It is difficult to
make them larger on account of the scarcity of suitable material in this
part of the country. The walls are whitewashed on the inside, and some
have a white muslin ceiling. Much of the furniture is of our own
manufacture and is made of boxes or of native poles draped with calico.
When completed the rooms looked quite cozy and comfortable, so that we
felt thankful for such pleasant homes in connection with our work. The
first year there were four of such huts built, kitchen, dining-hut, and
two sleeping-rooms.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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