Even as a kid hearing the denigration of African architecture, I always thought, "But the homes are probably built this way because it suits the environment and available resources." Great video 👍🏿
I’m studying architecture in school right now and it’s interesting how “form follows function” is a European ideal when it comes to building, but they weren’t able to recognize that in the African architecture you just showed. The builders were smart because of the way they solved problems such as air circulation and comfortability. For example, in the first building type you talked about, it definitely took a lot of trials, tribulations and analysis to get to their final design. The building designs were really sustainable too since natural materials were being used as opposed to concrete and materials that would damage the environment. Very niceeee
There’s a problem with the statement “the pyramids” it ignores the Nubian pyramids. Between how Egypt is obsessed over and the rest of the African continent is ignored and thus explored alternatively, Nubia tends to get erased from the conversation
@@afrinaut3094 waaaaaay more pyramids than egypt has. the northern european idealisation of Mediterranean cultures during the renaissance is the root of it imo.
@@soda8736 the main egyptian ones are the biggest pyramid things anyone ever built. they're amazing. doesn't mean we can't be interested in wider history and learn the truth about it.
I totally agree! Well said. African architecture, ingenuity, creativity, even physique (etc) is ridiculed and yet simultaneously copied. Couldn’t agree more
Check out the architecture of Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe for a modern take. It uses the relationship with nature and local climate as a basis. There's a good Wikipedia article. Thanks for this video. Very impressive research and profoundly informative.
Learning about African history, art, wisdom, and in this case - architecture....feels like such a missed opportunity in traditional education or even in what is featured in most documentaries. So thankful to have stumbled on your channel. Really interesting and needed content. This concept of non-permanence in order to allow space for the deceased seems to indicate a cyclical view of humanity's place in the world. "Once what was, again shall be," so to speak.
Personally there are too many diverse traditional architectural styles in Africa to name all of my favorites. But some of my favorites would be Nubian, Akan, Yoruba, Bamum & stilt architecture on rivers & lakes. Honorary mention would be Musgum architecture. All of them having examples of large scale architecture (temples, palaces, etc), especially the first four. Huts are beautiful, but not all of Africa was 🛖!
They mock huts but Africa still has some beautiful large ancient huts like those in Cameroon that are still standing. Ancient nubian architecture is also very beautiful and colorful.
I found something very interesting recently pertaining to the video topic. I was talking to a friend who works in architecture about geodesic homes and the sustainable model they represent in housing and when I mentioned that it reminded me of how huts are constructed in my village we both had a “oh duh” moment. African architecture is some of the oldest and most appropriate for the climate and geography. We have to remind ourselves that western doesn’t always mean better in terms of architecture and many other things.
True true the architecture was inline with the environment and for easy demolition too because they demolished houses when the owner died , people still don't know what to do when someone dies in the house now that we are building permanent houses especially rentals they tend to hide that fact
This is true but there’s quite a few of us changing the narrative wherever we can, across the spectrum. And there’s are lot’s of African architects and designers drawing in their traditions as inspiration. My whole PHD in architecture-my work focused on Africa and my dissertation on Ethiopia. I definitely forced the conversation successfully. Thanks for covering this topic.
@@kie2886 I finished in 2008. I would have to seeing I have a digital copy of my dissertation but the title is Reshaping Urban Environments in Ethiopia: Exploring Life Through the Use of Space in Four Addis Abba Kebeles. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
@@krystaljohnson7994 the reason I ask is because I'm embarking on building a structure with a view to using strong african influences. So would've liked to of seen your write up on this subject for some points.
Respect for nature and the earth also affected the architectural style. As practiced in Southern Africa, land occipation was to be rotated as to ensure that there was no over farming or destruction of natural resources. And therefore, villages were built so that they could be dismantled naturally and have as little affect on the natural landscape of the land. Thus, ensuring that there is a living land that can be inherited by future generations.
My favorite are Sudanese Dongolas and Cameroonian Mousgoum after that the Zulu King's Palace and the Congo Kingdom Palaces. The concentric circles of the Great Walls of Benin is also powerful remnant of Atlantean architecture.
Long before I understood how suitable the materials, structure and architecture were to the environment, I appreciated the esthetics. Some of these traditional dwellings are otherworldly looking.
@@franklinngangahistorian If your so superior, why the do you have the highest Covid numbers? Why are you number one in all diseases? Why is everyone’s health bad in the west?
@@franklinngangahistorian Why is the west the only place that’s high in pollution? All your holes are badly bad. No one else used wood as a base to build homes. That’s the west thing to use when building a home.
@@Tu51ndBl4d3 I believe hes reffering to that most African houses have roofs with a pyramid cone like shape and how its an african thing that are a part of us, unlike other countries that use flat or other shapes.
Great video! I would highly recommend a video diving into African aquatic traditions (swimming, water-sports, etc.) The books Undercurrents of Power: Aquatic Culture in the African Diaspora by Kevin Dawson and AfroSurf by Selema Masekela are great sources on such a topic.
It blew my mind when I learned about the history of Africans and aquatic traditions. In America blacks are known for not being swimmers mostly due to our history in America . I love the ocean and water so much I often get upset that I’m not a great swimmer like many of my ancestors.
I recently researched African indigenous architecture for a project. I was amazed how sophisticated the humble African hut is. It’s used in dozens of countries, made of many different materials and methods, always adapts to the local environment and climate, and can even be built or disassembled and moved in a day from materials a few yards away. The forms may appear simple, but is often made of double curvature shapes that are complex and sculptural.
Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries have beautiful, luxurious safari resorts built using African architectural design like grass thatched roofing and I even saw a dome shaped structure that looked like it was made from mud but with a modern interior finish.
Also keep in mind those European architectures weren’t always there as for centuries, Northern Europeans lived similarly to Africans until the Romans took over. Almost all our human ancestors lived that way.
This channel never ceases to amaze me. I love the information presented and the expansive content that captures my 100% attention. I've learned so much.
Wonderfully put. I think your argument is also applicable to much of the less industrialised world where vernacular architecture is similarly denigrated and labeled as backwards. Thank you for producing this. I will be sharing it!
Yeah the artistry, crafting, figuring, expression, gesture, signal, signature, sign, feature, featurette, showing, and example is very telling in its own kind of way
This is another great video. Thank you for continuing to educate and empower. I am often disappointed with the reality that some in power work endlessly to try to limit the sharing of the African diaspora. Through your efforts I am assured that quality education can never be suppressed. Please continue. Respect!
I've always admired the smoothness of the building, so sudano-sahelian and adobe houses are my favorite. They didn't show us African house styles in school, but I was so taken with the adobe structures they showed in history classes. Crazy that I'm only realizing the similarities now lol
Thanks and a Beautiful example of working with nature in Sub Saharan Africa is seen in the Rain gathering house of the SenaGambia area where the people have to deal with a 9 month Dry season and a 3 month rainy season. So the Circular houses are built with a downward sloping central roof that allows rain to fall into a central interior pond to provide cool temperatures during the hot dry season and even a place in the interior pond to grow plants. So a good well thought out design perfect for the area.
I never quite understood what those bits of wood sticking out of the walls were there for. From the image shown, I'm assuming they're to make it easier to reach certain higher parts of it, possibly either during the construction process, or maintenance, or both.
I’m starting to think modern western homebuilding practices went too far in the wrong direction by making really expensive, energy wasting, and space inefficient buildings. You can easily meet your basic shelter needs with resources available nearby to you practically anywhere in the world. Housing issues should be really easy to deal with we’ve been making them for thousands of years and they work well
Love how you explain the relationship between climate and architecture. Modern Western architecture could learn from the idea of trying to work with rather than tame nature. Gave me a whole new way to look at building
Southeast asia have harsh climate, volcano, earthquake, tsumani, jungle, rain, but they build angkor wat, angkor city in cambodia, and all temple around thailand, laos, south vienam by cambodian/khmer, bumrese with bagan, thai with ayutthaya, sukhothai, indonesian with prambanan, borobodur, candi mendut, candi jawi and others, no excused, because they know to build just today sub-sahara africa country cannot build rocket you can in future made them equal to US that haiti, zimbabwe, zambia, south africa(before give back power to black, all modern and great achivmennt build and created by white, just like Elon musk for example, thank he migrated to US). black sub-sahara africa do not have great civilzation. do not excuse, it like made australia aboriginal excused because of climated they cannot build nothing, cannot created writing script. stupid still stupid. that it.
It's not aesthetically pleasing tho. It's just a simple hut, but the materials are good tho. Africans cannot live in stone houses unless they want to be cooked alive. Mud bricks is actually an excellent material for Saharan houses, they just have to make it look nice and sophisticated.
I'm an architect with bachelor degree in Architecture from China. There was one assignment I have been challenged to bring African Architect principals to my project on the 3rd year . My presentation rooted of ancient African Architecture lines were bashed, the teachers were disappointed because they couldn't see value through it because of the preconceived ideas about Africa already. Another Kenyan friend made a deep research in his hometown to implement the results in his masters thesis in Architecture also, it was also bashed and disapproved by the teachers because of the same problem "denigration of African ideologies and manners" although it is the mother land.
incredibly interesting topic, really enjoy the video. i would also be very interested in later forms of african architecture even if they are deeply connected to colonial influence
SPEAK YOUR SHIT SIR!!!! I have a plan for our continent and your videos gives me the research I'VE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK FOR😫😫😫thank you for your videos❤❤❤❤
Sudano-Sahelian architecture is my favorite in the world. Especially sites like Dharr tichitt in Mauritania, Gao Saney/Timbuktu in Mali, and Agadez Mosque in Niger.
He uses estate agent or used car salesman language to describe the "achievements" of Africa. However, I do accept that you magnificent mud huts easily rival the skyscrapers of New York for ingenuity. The mud age of Africa will continue to outshine any achievement of the west, for all time. Your ability to put on stone on top of another is an example to all mankind.
Love this video but think some more research can be done. Maybe speak to some architectural students/lectureres in South Africa. I'm an architect and the architectural history/design theories that we are taught very much focus on African architecture.
Much of the most beautiful architecture can be found in the west as well.. Ancient roman and greek ie. Roman colosseums, statue of Zeus, temple of Artemis, Colossus of Rhodes, etc. Also medieval gothic and italian architecture such as Notre Dame, the Sistine Chapel, etc. You dont have to downplay others history to uplift yours.
@@Larry_Suave Much of the structures you mentioned have not existed for centuries or are mere shells . So how they looked is mere speculation. You attempting uplift your culture by quoting these examples only proves my point.
@@Larry_Suave because black people built, them. Their were different black people, all over this Earth, that sstarted Civilization, and built, and taught The Arts And Sciences and more.They are the natural Strongest people on this planet, Sprit and Nature, and they were always Inventing things, this is who the other get theirs from.
As an Asian it's so crazy how when Europeans see asian architecture or art and they're like "omg now this is art" but when it's african it's seen as lesser??
The examples of "permanence" in Western architecture are public buildings such as temples and the Colosseum. Examples of African architecture are mostly domestic buildings. Is there no religious or public architecture in the African environment?
They were bro, he didn't show them in this video, like the wall of Benin city, said to be longer than the great wall of China and took more materials to make more than the pyramids, although it was destroyed by British occupation
Remember advanced human history goes back hundreds of thousands of years written documents millions of years of advanced human it has been written. How are you doing
I can appreciate this. I haven't spent as much time in the Sub-Saharan as I'd like to and I never really got to see an older prehistoric/original African home/village. To be honest I always saw those homes(from my modern 2022 perspective) as places of extreme poverty, illiteracy, and possibly danger; to be fair they are these things but they are also a step back in time, a step back into the way all people used to live and I can appreciate that from an anthropology perspective. To add: I lived in a Chinese built apartment for some time... Bro those are not up to code, most of Africa is not up to code... I could see all the foundation from erosion in the apartment buildings all over this city. The French homes, 70-100+ years old are in better shape than modern buildings. There was a mudslide the next city over after I left, many people died.
This kind message is to the brother narrating and whoever else is involved. You have great content and talk about the pros and cons of what many Blacks deal with through the course of history. But what about futurism? what about group economics and politics? You have over 650k subscribers. Do you mean to tell me you cant aggregate that creating a startup sanctuary for others alike? How many of those subs perhaps may be looking for a chance to be great and make a positive impact. Instead of not providing a business email on your account and selling retail. Liberate your kin by providing products that actually really help with SOLUTIONS instead of jargon politics blaming others. Be a victor, not a victim. Create your own digital platform that you own that is not censored by charlatans who want to bend the truth. As a CEO of an international company, we lead by action. When you get serious about this. Let us know. There are various opportunities globally for anyone to take advantage of.
I don't want to speak for the narrator if he's making a positive impact or not, this just seems to be an African history channel that is informative educational. Where's the victimhood? I respect your ambition to lift others, as opposed to the opposite here? I don't think it's that deep here bro.
@@OXSkuldream I didn't say he per se focused on victimhood. The issue is too many of these channels do not focus on aggregation. I give you an example. A good friend of mine started a startup Island backed by investors from his circle of ethnic background. His plan is to aggregate everyone to solve various issues plaguing our societies empowering others to take action. Their planing to open hundreds of these entrepreneurial sanctuaries. Not once does he sit around and make videos complaining without solutions. They did something about it. Their ethnic background is irrelevant. As Dr. Claude Anderson stated. If we aggregate, we would be an estimated 8-9th most powerful country in the world within our economic base. Because it's not aggregated, it doesn't even matter. Just imagine in these videos this narrator or the owner installed an action plan to liberate his followers or who wants in. You could have a Startup island of your own impacting the world. Perhaps off-world too. You can be in that conversation with Elon and company. Then you can sell wardrobes off of that in addition to what you are doing. Focus on the message, not the messenger. Far too many charlatans out here attacking progression meanwhile working for the opposition subtlely.
@@africaine4889 nothing wrong with that but why stop there? a history channel focusing on many setbacks. Why not have solutions embedded with the channel same as this channel selling t-shirts. They should have a networking aggregation Rolodex of every subscriber on this channel mend the setbacks today and in the future. Instead of saying what you stated. You should be encouraging this along with most of everyone else. Read the second comment we made. Blacks, in general, are too divided and that is by design to keep us from doing what I stated. wake up or continue your demise of doom. We got ours. We just passing on knowledge before you are eradicated.
But what kills me is how every thing you have shown has existed in European tribal societies as well... Celts built round houses that looked just like what you are showing in the video and I can't run down all of the civilizations that built this way, not in Africa. What I think would be a more relevant comparison is how our hamburger building styles (stick and frame buildings) have veered so far away from communal buildings styles that were common among tribal societies who have the community at heart and not selling and buying real estate.
I had to stop after the sixth(?) time you complained about western world view--not even two minutes in. Cultural critiques are fair. And your title even hints that a critique is possible. I did not expect it to be the focus. Again, I can only speak to the intro. If you're curious how I found you, I searched for "Malian architecture" because the computer game, Age of Empires 4 sparked my interest in medieval Malian buildings.
@@davidkendall589 that’s not racist but objectively speaking he’s just saying non blacks just take what they want and use it, it may be wholesome inspiration but doesn’t mean they like blacks for it, including not crediting where they got such inspiration basically they hate what blacks have but love what those blacks created
@@kyouskeuzumaki9673 I didn't realize that it was somehow wrong to be inspired by one's architecture without glorifying every aspect of that person's culture. Oh, right, because its not.
I know you said you're just scratching the surface with this video so I won't say too much, but nope. Permanence is also an African architectural feature.
It's impossible for Africa to move forward - it's value system turns Europe's on its head. Also: as long as they won't erase the lines; Europe's value system has you on your head. Each kingdom spammed more than 1 state - we can't get back to that because: THEY WONT LET YOU. Unless: You have had enough.
This is why they came at us we rule them and when moors loose they war and mansa Musa gave all that good they came for it .. holy holy holy .. yah Jah live .. burn Babylon .. we educate them sole them and all this is why they try to como at us with the same consept that we was savage ..but no we was a kingdom . And that how we rule them because the was curse first and we got it after . Truth is us
Even as a kid hearing the denigration of African architecture, I always thought, "But the homes are probably built this way because it suits the environment and available resources."
Great video 👍🏿
Same. It's just so obvious to anyone not indoctrinated. You would just assume people did what was in their best interests naturally.
My dad always told me it was Eco friendly and can be broken down and not leave secondary waste to hurt the environment. ≧ω≦
Thank you i cannot understand how can't people take this
I’m studying architecture in school right now and it’s interesting how “form follows function” is a European ideal when it comes to building, but they weren’t able to recognize that in the African architecture you just showed. The builders were smart because of the way they solved problems such as air circulation and comfortability. For example, in the first building type you talked about, it definitely took a lot of trials, tribulations and analysis to get to their final design. The building designs were really sustainable too since natural materials were being used as opposed to concrete and materials that would damage the environment. Very niceeee
Yeah it's a good thing that we now are telling her own history instead of letting the people who hate our guts tell our history.
And that's just the beginning 👍💪
Exactly, they don't even have the words to interpret half of what they saw but feel their accounts shouldn't be challenged smh
what history? Slavery???
@@mrcead and the history you guys tell is always botched and easily proven wrong with facts and science.
Romans : colosseum
India : giant intricate step well
China : wooden palace constructed with zero nails
Africa : mud hut deluxe :)
Love the many types of indigenous West African architecture.
I have always been a fan of the “Sudano-Sahelian”architecture style: there are other structures besides the pyramids.
There’s a problem with the statement “the pyramids” it ignores the Nubian pyramids. Between how Egypt is obsessed over and the rest of the African continent is ignored and thus explored alternatively, Nubia tends to get erased from the conversation
@@afrinaut3094 waaaaaay more pyramids than egypt has. the northern european idealisation of Mediterranean cultures during the renaissance is the root of it imo.
@@danprotheroe but which Pyrmids are bigger and older?
@@soda8736 the main egyptian ones are the biggest pyramid things anyone ever built. they're amazing. doesn't mean we can't be interested in wider history and learn the truth about it.
@@afrinaut3094 Nubia is dope, but West Africa is heavily overlooked.
I totally agree! Well said. African architecture, ingenuity, creativity, even physique (etc) is ridiculed and yet simultaneously copied. Couldn’t agree more
lmfao nobody wants to copy sand castles and mud huts when they can build monuments
Sean Bui, we’ve built all of that and more.
He’s right African architecture is often copied usually by homeless people in San Francisco and Portland
Losers obsess over perceived superiority because they have nothing to be proud of. Just read the childish comments in this section.
@@sakhu8945 lmfao no you guys haven't. And if you did you outsourced.
It's about time we talked about our own enginuities and applied them in our everyday lives..
I'm an Architect.. 40 years in and you are 💯 right..
Where do you practice?
I'm presently in the DRC and Zambia doing Mining Contracts.
Check out the architecture of Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe for a modern take. It uses the relationship with nature and local climate as a basis. There's a good Wikipedia article. Thanks for this video. Very impressive research and profoundly informative.
Africans were really ingenious
Learning about African history, art, wisdom, and in this case - architecture....feels like such a missed opportunity in traditional education or even in what is featured in most documentaries. So thankful to have stumbled on your channel. Really interesting and needed content. This concept of non-permanence in order to allow space for the deceased seems to indicate a cyclical view of humanity's place in the world. "Once what was, again shall be," so to speak.
Thanks for acknowledging truth Josh
Much love and respect to you and your family. Long life in happiness and peace.
I truly appreciate the research and effort that is contributed to this channel. Not only is it informative, but eloquently presented as well.
🎯🎯🎯
What research? Dude read from two colonizer's books and called it a day. Didn't even realize the lies spewed.
Personally there are too many diverse traditional architectural styles in Africa to name all of my favorites. But some of my favorites would be Nubian, Akan, Yoruba, Bamum & stilt architecture on rivers & lakes. Honorary mention would be Musgum architecture. All of them having examples of large scale architecture (temples, palaces, etc), especially the first four. Huts are beautiful, but not all of Africa was 🛖!
They mock huts but Africa still has some beautiful large ancient huts like those in Cameroon that are still standing. Ancient nubian architecture is also very beautiful and colorful.
I found something very interesting recently pertaining to the video topic. I was talking to a friend who works in architecture about geodesic homes and the sustainable model they represent in housing and when I mentioned that it reminded me of how huts are constructed in my village we both had a “oh duh” moment. African architecture is some of the oldest and most appropriate for the climate and geography. We have to remind ourselves that western doesn’t always mean better in terms of architecture and many other things.
True true the architecture was inline with the environment and for easy demolition too because they demolished houses when the owner died , people still don't know what to do when someone dies in the house now that we are building permanent houses especially rentals they tend to hide that fact
This is true but there’s quite a few of us changing the narrative wherever we can, across the spectrum. And there’s are lot’s of African architects and designers drawing in their traditions as inspiration. My whole PHD in architecture-my work focused on Africa and my dissertation on Ethiopia. I definitely forced the conversation successfully. Thanks for covering this topic.
I would be interested in reading your final PHD write up if you would be open to this ?.
@@kie2886 I finished in 2008. I would have to seeing I have a digital copy of my dissertation but the title is Reshaping Urban Environments in Ethiopia: Exploring Life Through the Use of Space in Four Addis Abba Kebeles. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
@@krystaljohnson7994 the reason I ask is because I'm embarking on building a structure with a view to using strong african influences. So would've liked to of seen your write up on this subject for some points.
Respect for nature and the earth also affected the architectural style. As practiced in Southern Africa, land occipation was to be rotated as to ensure that there was no over farming or destruction of natural resources. And therefore, villages were built so that they could be dismantled naturally and have as little affect on the natural landscape of the land. Thus, ensuring that there is a living land that can be inherited by future generations.
My favorite are Sudanese Dongolas and Cameroonian Mousgoum after that the Zulu King's Palace and the Congo Kingdom Palaces. The concentric circles of the Great Walls of Benin is also powerful remnant of Atlantean architecture.
From your pfp I assume you're also a fan of the Project Building style of architecture.
I really like the looks of the Mousgum clay houses
I was going to say something about the “mud hut” insult and you mentioned it in the video. Thank you! This was amazing
The architecture of all time in the history of Africa is Timbuktu. The hand work of the Mandinkas.
Long before I understood how suitable the materials, structure and architecture were to the environment, I appreciated the esthetics. Some of these traditional dwellings are otherworldly looking.
I'm sick of hearing about Western culture it's good to hear about something else
That´s great but we can´t not ignore West superiority in areas like Science and Architecture.
@@franklinngangahistorian what superiority
@@franklinngangahistorian If your so superior, why the do you have the highest Covid numbers? Why are you number one in all diseases? Why is everyone’s health bad in the west?
@@franklinngangahistorian Why is the west the only place that’s high in pollution? All your holes are badly bad. No one else used wood as a base to build homes. That’s the west thing to use when building a home.
@@franklinngangahistorian Most people in the west don’t have health insurance.
The roofs of almost all our houses and huts had the shapes of the pyramids in Africa.
The pyramids are our architecture, they are part of us.
You're romanticizing about Africa.
That's the biggest stretch I've ever heard in my life. Pyramids are african, duh, but no the roofs werent made to look like pyramids
Facts
@@Tu51ndBl4d3 I believe hes reffering to that most African houses have roofs with a pyramid cone like shape and how its an african thing that are a part of us, unlike other countries that use flat or other shapes.
Etiopia and Sudan have some beautiful architecture dating back thousands of pf years.
Great video! I would highly recommend a video diving into African aquatic traditions (swimming, water-sports, etc.) The books Undercurrents of Power: Aquatic Culture in the African Diaspora by Kevin Dawson and AfroSurf by Selema Masekela are great sources on such a topic.
It blew my mind when I learned about the history of Africans and aquatic traditions. In America blacks are known for not being swimmers mostly due to our history in America . I love the ocean and water so much I often get upset that I’m not a great swimmer like many of my ancestors.
I recently researched African indigenous architecture for a project. I was amazed how sophisticated the humble African hut is. It’s used in dozens of countries, made of many different materials and methods, always adapts to the local environment and climate, and can even be built or disassembled and moved in a day from materials a few yards away. The forms may appear simple, but is often made of double curvature shapes that are complex and sculptural.
Haven't they found large palaces and even small pyramids all over Africa?
You're romanticizing about Africa.
A simple hut is more advance ecoly than a house in the us.
You're grossly overestimate.
Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries have beautiful, luxurious safari resorts built using African architectural design like grass thatched roofing and I even saw a dome shaped structure that looked like it was made from mud but with a modern interior finish.
Also keep in mind those European architectures weren’t always there as for centuries, Northern Europeans lived similarly to Africans until the Romans took over. Almost all our human ancestors lived that way.
That’s was 2000 years ago wtf…2000 years ago literally 80% of the world was barbarian
Your presentations on art and architecture have been fantastic! You all do such excellent work!
This channel never ceases to amaze me. I love the information presented and the expansive content that captures my 100% attention. I've learned so much.
Wonderfully put. I think your argument is also applicable to much of the less industrialised world where vernacular architecture is similarly denigrated and labeled as backwards. Thank you for producing this. I will be sharing it!
It’s crazy how the start of civilisation and mankind has to recover it’s history like this man wtf
@@ario4795 white people are obsessed with black people what would even bring you here lmao
@@ario4795 why are you so obsessed with Africans man, I see you in every African related video
@@ario4795 it seems like your the one making up fake nonsense, you are in every African history related video, trying to downplay African history
@@greatestindanationwide8332 it tells you what you need to know lol I’m their subconscious they know they ain’t meant to be in the position they’re in
Yeah the artistry, crafting, figuring, expression, gesture, signal, signature, sign, feature, featurette, showing, and example is very telling in its own kind of way
This is another great video. Thank you for continuing to educate and empower. I am often disappointed with the reality that some in power work endlessly to try to limit the sharing of the African diaspora. Through your efforts I am assured that quality education can never be suppressed. Please continue. Respect!
I've always admired the smoothness of the building, so sudano-sahelian and adobe houses are my favorite.
They didn't show us African house styles in school, but I was so taken with the adobe structures they showed in history classes.
Crazy that I'm only realizing the similarities now lol
Thanks and a Beautiful example of working with nature in Sub Saharan Africa is seen in the Rain gathering house of the SenaGambia area where the people have to deal with a 9 month Dry season and a 3 month rainy season. So the Circular houses are built with a downward sloping central roof that allows rain to fall into a central interior pond to provide cool temperatures during the hot dry season and even a place in the interior pond to grow plants. So a good well thought out design perfect for the area.
I never quite understood what those bits of wood sticking out of the walls were there for. From the image shown, I'm assuming they're to make it easier to reach certain higher parts of it, possibly either during the construction process, or maintenance, or both.
Is it possible to talk about African architecture without talking about Westerners. I just wanted to learn about African architecture.
Ikr
I’m starting to think modern western homebuilding practices went too far in the wrong direction by making really expensive, energy wasting, and space inefficient buildings. You can easily meet your basic shelter needs with resources available nearby to you practically anywhere in the world. Housing issues should be really easy to deal with we’ve been making them for thousands of years and they work well
I 💘 our people's architecture. I wonder what are those wooden sticks sticking out and what there for.
Bird perch?
Such an amazing channel your work is amazing and so appreciated . Thank you .
Thank you for the video! You’ve left me wanting to know more!
much respect! I was wondering about this topic and I think you've done it justice
Love how you explain the relationship between climate and architecture. Modern Western architecture could learn from the idea of trying to work with rather than tame nature. Gave me a whole new way to look at building
Southeast asia have harsh climate, volcano, earthquake, tsumani, jungle, rain, but they build angkor wat, angkor city in cambodia, and all temple around thailand, laos, south vienam by cambodian/khmer, bumrese with bagan, thai with ayutthaya, sukhothai, indonesian with prambanan, borobodur, candi mendut, candi jawi and others, no excused, because they know to build just today sub-sahara africa country cannot build rocket you can in future made them equal to US that haiti, zimbabwe, zambia, south africa(before give back power to black, all modern and great achivmennt build and created by white, just like Elon musk for example, thank he migrated to US). black sub-sahara africa do not have great civilzation. do not excuse, it like made australia aboriginal excused because of climated they cannot build nothing, cannot created writing script. stupid still stupid. that it.
It's not aesthetically pleasing tho. It's just a simple hut, but the materials are good tho. Africans cannot live in stone houses unless they want to be cooked alive. Mud bricks is actually an excellent material for Saharan houses, they just have to make it look nice and sophisticated.
I'm an architect with bachelor degree in Architecture from China. There was one assignment I have been challenged to bring African Architect principals to my project on the 3rd year . My presentation rooted of ancient African Architecture lines were bashed, the teachers were disappointed because they couldn't see value through it because of the preconceived ideas about Africa already. Another Kenyan friend made a deep research in his hometown to implement the results in his masters thesis in Architecture also, it was also bashed and disapproved by the teachers because of the same problem "denigration of African ideologies and manners" although it is the mother land.
That was a really unique and interesting way to approach the topic of architecture. Good work!
Thanks for posting this lesson.
incredibly interesting topic, really enjoy the video. i would also be very interested in later forms of african architecture even if they are deeply connected to colonial influence
SPEAK YOUR SHIT SIR!!!! I have a plan for our continent and your videos gives me the research I'VE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK FOR😫😫😫thank you for your videos❤❤❤❤
This was wonderful. Thank you
Sudano-Sahelian architecture is my favorite in the world. Especially sites like Dharr tichitt in Mauritania, Gao Saney/Timbuktu in Mali, and Agadez Mosque in Niger.
Really interesting to learn about how the climate needs led to unique architectural styles!
I was only going to use this for Minecraft but this turned out to be such an informative video on African culture in general :)
Great episode!!!! Thoughtful and knowledgeable…
Amazing video!
Hey what happened to the African history books that used to be in your description?
Learning more about my culture makes me realize that Europe really isnt all that.
For the pst 500 years it has been. Past that it was like anywhere else.
Never was - only faked their way into superiority
It never was
He uses estate agent or used car salesman language to describe the "achievements" of Africa. However, I do accept that you magnificent mud huts easily rival the skyscrapers of New York for ingenuity. The mud age of Africa will continue to outshine any achievement of the west, for all time. Your ability to put on stone on top of another is an example to all mankind.
I love our Architecture! It's so practical and Eco Friendly! ≧ω≦
Really good video article. Thanks!
In New Mexico. "adobe" architecture is the thing. They build subdivisions of houses in the style. Wonder whose idea that was?
The indigenous Native people who live there..
The ancient black Africans who sailed there and the black slaves who were later forced there
@@hiyahiy now evidence of ancient Africans sailing to America.
@@hiyahiy ..adobe is known world wide in times before crist..
Love this video but think some more research can be done. Maybe speak to some architectural students/lectureres in South Africa. I'm an architect and the architectural history/design theories that we are taught very much focus on African architecture.
I always learn something here. Thanks.
The most beautiful architecture the world has to offer tends to be that which is non western.
like?
@@Tu51ndBl4d3 The pyramids, the Sphinx, the Taj Mahal, the Great mosque of Mecca, the ancient library of Timbuktu to name a few.
Much of the most beautiful architecture can be found in the west as well.. Ancient roman and greek ie. Roman colosseums, statue of Zeus, temple of Artemis, Colossus of Rhodes, etc. Also medieval gothic and italian architecture such as Notre Dame, the Sistine Chapel, etc. You dont have to downplay others history to uplift yours.
@@Larry_Suave Much of the structures you mentioned have not existed for centuries or are mere shells . So how they looked is mere speculation. You attempting uplift your culture by quoting these examples only proves my point.
@@Larry_Suave because black people built, them. Their were different black people, all over this Earth, that sstarted Civilization, and built, and taught The Arts And Sciences and more.They are the natural Strongest people on this planet, Sprit and Nature, and they were always Inventing things, this is who the other get theirs from.
Thank you. 😊🙋🏽♀️✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽
This was great
As an Asian it's so crazy how when Europeans see asian architecture or art and they're like "omg now this is art" but when it's african it's seen as lesser??
The examples of "permanence" in Western architecture are public buildings such as temples and the Colosseum. Examples of African architecture are mostly domestic buildings. Is there no religious or public architecture in the African environment?
They were bro, he didn't show them in this video, like the wall of Benin city, said to be longer than the great wall of China and took more materials to make more than the pyramids, although it was destroyed by British occupation
Interesting
I mean you have to admire your commitment to African culture
Now this one opens my eyes
I’m pretty sure I’ve got some African architects that live down the street from me
Oh shut up
Informative👍👍
Very good video
Building in line with nature, sustainably without contempt off the earth is the African way. Destroying for no reason is not our way.
Thanks
Remember advanced human history goes back hundreds of thousands of years written documents millions of years of advanced human it has been written. How are you doing
Lovely intake
Wow. Bigger mud nuts. Very impressive.
western standards is horrible for the environment and people. its all about generating money to maintain expensive equipment.
I can appreciate this. I haven't spent as much time in the Sub-Saharan as I'd like to and I never really got to see an older prehistoric/original African home/village. To be honest I always saw those homes(from my modern 2022 perspective) as places of extreme poverty, illiteracy, and possibly danger; to be fair they are these things but they are also a step back in time, a step back into the way all people used to live and I can appreciate that from an anthropology perspective. To add: I lived in a Chinese built apartment for some time... Bro those are not up to code, most of Africa is not up to code... I could see all the foundation from erosion in the apartment buildings all over this city. The French homes, 70-100+ years old are in better shape than modern buildings. There was a mudslide the next city over after I left, many people died.
You have to look at Non-western history in a Non-western sense.
very ecological indeed
good video, slightly repetitive tho
This kind message is to the brother narrating and whoever else is involved. You have great content and talk about the pros and cons of what many Blacks deal with through the course of history. But what about futurism? what about group economics and politics? You have over 650k subscribers. Do you mean to tell me you cant aggregate that creating a startup sanctuary for others alike? How many of those subs perhaps may be looking for a chance to be great and make a positive impact. Instead of not providing a business email on your account and selling retail. Liberate your kin by providing products that actually really help with SOLUTIONS instead of jargon politics blaming others. Be a victor, not a victim. Create your own digital platform that you own that is not censored by charlatans who want to bend the truth.
As a CEO of an international company, we lead by action. When you get serious about this. Let us know. There are various opportunities globally for anyone to take advantage of.
I don't want to speak for the narrator if he's making a positive impact or not, this just seems to be an African history channel that is informative educational. Where's the victimhood? I respect your ambition to lift others, as opposed to the opposite here? I don't think it's that deep here bro.
@@OXSkuldream I didn't say he per se focused on victimhood. The issue is too many of these channels do not focus on aggregation.
I give you an example. A good friend of mine started a startup Island backed by investors from his circle of ethnic background. His plan is to aggregate everyone to solve various issues plaguing our societies empowering others to take action. Their planing to open hundreds of these entrepreneurial sanctuaries. Not once does he sit around and make videos complaining without solutions. They did something about it.
Their ethnic background is irrelevant. As Dr. Claude Anderson stated. If we aggregate, we would be an estimated 8-9th most powerful country in the world within our economic base. Because it's not aggregated, it doesn't even matter.
Just imagine in these videos this narrator or the owner installed an action plan to liberate his followers or who wants in. You could have a Startup island of your own impacting the world. Perhaps off-world too. You can be in that conversation with Elon and company. Then you can sell wardrobes off of that in addition to what you are doing.
Focus on the message, not the messenger. Far too many charlatans out here attacking progression meanwhile working for the opposition subtlely.
This is an aftican history channel. Dont tell me u did not notice
@@africaine4889 nothing wrong with that but why stop there? a history channel focusing on many setbacks. Why not have solutions embedded with the channel same as this channel selling t-shirts. They should have a networking aggregation Rolodex of every subscriber on this channel mend the setbacks today and in the future.
Instead of saying what you stated. You should be encouraging this along with most of everyone else. Read the second comment we made. Blacks, in general, are too divided and that is by design to keep us from doing what I stated. wake up or continue your demise of doom.
We got ours. We just passing on knowledge before you are eradicated.
But what kills me is how every thing you have shown has existed in European tribal societies as well... Celts built round houses that looked just like what you are showing in the video and I can't run down all of the civilizations that built this way, not in Africa.
What I think would be a more relevant comparison is how our hamburger building styles (stick and frame buildings) have veered so far away from communal buildings styles that were common among tribal societies who have the community at heart and not selling and buying real estate.
u can easily look at the buildings and realixe its hot af and its free ac duh how can u be that racist 😂
I had to stop after the sixth(?) time you complained about western world view--not even two minutes in.
Cultural critiques are fair. And your title even hints that a critique is possible. I did not expect it to be the focus. Again, I can only speak to the intro.
If you're curious how I found you, I searched for "Malian architecture" because the computer game, Age of Empires 4 sparked my interest in medieval Malian buildings.
Any chance you could do the video with less racism and more architecture?
@Racialist Slayer Is that a joke?
@Racialist Slayer Well, for starters, saying its wrong for anyone but blacks to create anything inspired by african design.
@Racialist Slayer literally the whole video. I'm done talking to stupid people today. Goodnight.
@@davidkendall589 that’s not racist but objectively speaking he’s just saying non blacks just take what they want and use it, it may be wholesome inspiration but doesn’t mean they like blacks for it, including not crediting where they got such inspiration basically they hate what blacks have but love what those blacks created
@@kyouskeuzumaki9673 I didn't realize that it was somehow wrong to be inspired by one's architecture without glorifying every aspect of that person's culture. Oh, right, because its not.
I know you said you're just scratching the surface with this video so I won't say too much, but nope. Permanence is also an African architectural feature.
🤠👍🏿
Right. Now, to draw a little attention to how they be provoking us🙆🏽♂️🍿
It's impossible for Africa to move forward - it's value system turns Europe's on its head. Also: as long as they won't erase the lines; Europe's value system has you on your head.
Each kingdom spammed more than 1 state - we can't get back to that because: THEY WONT LET YOU.
Unless: You have had enough.
Ta panda ri
BS. Posted 1 year ago, hopefully you've learned.
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👍🏽✊🏽💞
This is why they came at us we rule them and when moors loose they war and mansa Musa gave all that good they came for it .. holy holy holy .. yah Jah live .. burn Babylon .. we educate them sole them and all this is why they try to como at us with the same consept that we was savage ..but no we was a kingdom . And that how we rule them because the was curse first and we got it after . Truth is us
Mega mud huts
Just shut up