Page 10 - Apr-Jun 2018

Naga Homes ‘Naturally’

Location: Nagaland; Rural
Physical Factors: Tropical Monsoon climate; Earthquake prone
The traditional architectural style of Nagaland has now been restricted only to the tribes in the region. While most
people have moved on to more modern, sturdy homes, some still inhabit these, using materials they obtained from
their local forests and the earth. Let’s look at some features.
WALL
ROOF
The walls are made of bamboo, reed mesh,
The roof of these houses is thatched, and timber, regularly coated with mud
made with paddy straws and palm leaves,
plaster. These keep the insides warm to cope
and supported by timber posts that are with the cold climate.
embedded into the ground, and diagonal
timber bracing.
SHAPE

The houses are mostly
elongated, rectangular, and
face the east; a few could also
be circular.

FLOOR DECORATION

The fl oor is earthen, sometimes The wooden front of the house is
coated with mud plaster. Some
intricately and elaborately carved,
people also cover it with bamboo with designs usually related to
matting.
wildlife. Most of them also have heads
of buff alos adorning the door.

DOORS AND WINDOWS
LAYOUT
The houses have just one
entrance through a small door. The house is a single storey structure, sometimes raised to keep the
They seldom have a back door. rainwater out. There are diff erent rooms for diff erent members of the
There are no windows for family as it is usually a single family house. The cooking area is in the
ventilation. centre to serve as a heat source for the house. The interior is 3m to 5m
high, with the top portion used for storage with swing-like racks which
hang from the ceiling. As there are no windows, the only light comes from
the cracks in the bamboo walls and the fi replace.
DID YOU KNOW?

Before moving into the house,
the family performs rituals ACTIVITY: MY DESIGN
to avoid the evil spirit. In a Decoration in Naga homes is unique.
chief‛s house, these rituals This can include designs, animal
were much more elaborate. heads etc. Design an interesting
front facade of a Naga home.

Illustration by: Jitisha Verma, IX A, Pine Hall
Text credits: Jitisha Verma, IXA, Pine Hall School, School, Dehradun
Dehradun

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