Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Science and Technology (JKUAT) has started a massive academic campaign that will involve communities to appreciate architecture as an integral discipline in the development of their varied cultures.
An Architecture Lecturer at the University, Dr. Evans Makan said that architecture plays a crucial role in shaping and preserving culture by mirroring a society’s values, beliefs and historical concepts.
He said that Kisii region has very rich sources of the African culture as manifested in its rocks on the expansive Manga and Sameta hills and rivers that can be captured in the architectural designs as the best means of preserving the community’s culture.
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“Architecture can be interwoven with a people’s culture through design choices, material selection and community engagement to bring in an aesthetic reflection of communities’ living.” He said.
Architecture Makan was speaking at Humphreys Hill House Hotel in Kisii during the selection of the best architecture student from the University to compete for the design of an Amphitheatre and Gusii Homestead for Hotel Humphreys.
The competition attracted 81 participants from JKUAT University but only 6 of them who included Austin Okoth, Norah Merabu ,Grace Odhimbo, Kite Kabito Mulwa Mutinda and Abigael Mwaura qualified
In his architectural design, Austin Okoth, explained the concept of one of Abagusii clans called Abanchari, who migrated from Kano plains in Kisumu but on the way, they encountered hostile tribes that attacked them but they were mysteriously rescued by a hippo, an animal they revere and use it as their totem even in the present days.
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His colleague Grace Adhiambo conceptualized the elephant in her architectural drawing to represent the Abagetutu who are the largest among the six clans of Abagusii Community.
Other participants used the Gusii traditional dance Ribina adance that was mainly performed by women to persuade and appease the Gusii community’s traditional God called Engoro to bring rain after a prolonged drought.
Other concepts in the competition included the reflection of the rich agricultural land in the Gusii highlands and the traditional home made storage containers like winnowers, baskets and mats that reflected the rich weaving industry aming the community.
Architecture Josephine Wahirimu who accompanied her students, took her time to explain the urgent need to integrate architecture in cultural teachings because of the ever changing world dynamics.
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She said that the representation of cultural identity in buildings and structures can act as a powerful sign of culture of a given community.
“Spatial arrangement and design of buildings can influence how people interact and organize their lives for harmonious coexistence with their neighbours,” she said.
Wahirimu said that proper application of architectural knowledge in the daily lives of communities can be one of the strongest intellectual weapons of fighting social economic challenges like climate change and overpopulation and settlement in the country.
“We are happy to be associated with this region and we promise to partner with you to make it a cultural scientific research and innovation hub,” she said.
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The director of Humphreys Hill House Arc. Moses Okemwa highlighted the vision of his firm as being a cultural, tourism and science related research destination.
He challenged students in Secondary Schools to work hard in sciences to enable them to join market anchored careers like architecture, law and medicine that will lead them to get employment soon or create their own companies after completing University courses for self-sustenance.
He said that after completion of the ongoing designing and construction of various halls at the Hotel,they will be able to host students from the local areas for mentorship in career choice, career progression and sports management.
“We have already adopted some some schools in our community outreach programmes and we are in advanced stages to engage Universities,” he said
Dr.Alfred Nyamwange of Kisii University lauded the Humphreys Hill Community for starting a unique programme that blended University students with the local communities as they worked as a team to find ways of staying resilient after unforeseen hazards like droughts, heavy rain or diseases out breaks in society.
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“Time has come when we have to blend our academic knowledge with the indigenous knowledge to enable us discover more new ways that will see us thrive in the ever changing world though the influence of advancing technology.” He said.
Dr.Nyamwange who is an author of many books asked scholars to try to translate books written in English into their indigenous languages to enhance their message to reach large population.
The function was attended by Elder Maoto Nyamoko, Johnson Nyandika, Ondieki Moiruki and Josephine Moraa, prominent custodians of Gusii culture and traditions.
Nyandika said that the best from the 6 finalist from JKUAT in the architectural design competition for Humphrey Hill house, will be announced early next month.
By Enock Okong’o.
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