[Westernization in Sub-Saharan Africa] Facing Loss of Culture, Knowlege and Environment

[westernization in sub-saharan africa] facing loss of culture, knowlege and environment ii APPROVAL of a thesis submitted by Meghan Marie Scott This thesis has been read by each member of the thesis committee and has been found to be satisfactory regarding content, English usage, format, citations, bibliographic style, and consistency, and is ready for submission to the Division of Graduate Education. Chair of Committee Ralph Johnson Approved for the Department of Architecture John Brittingham Approved for the Division of Graduate Education Carl A. Fox iv TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................... .. 5 2. TRADITION AND HISTORY....................................................................... 13 AIDS........................................................................................................... 14 History of Architecture ............................................................................... 19 Sukuma Culture.......................................................................................... 28 3. PROJECT INFORMATION........................................................................ 33 Mavuno Village Information......................................................................... 35 4. SUSTAINABILITY....................................................................................... 39 Introduction................................................................................................ 40 Nature......................................................................................................... 43 Culture, Critical Regionalism....................................................................... 47 Technology.................................................................................................. 55 5. CASE STUDIES......................................................................................... 57 6. CONCLUSION........................................................................................... 67 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................... 71 Endnotes.................................................................................................... 72 Images....................................................................................................... 75 Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges; among them is the struggle to westernize. But is westernization really the answer for this large ‘third world’ population? Westernization has stripped many of the cultures that make up sub-Saharan Africa of their knowledge bases, knowledge of tradition, and pride in culture. The principles behind International architecture indicate to this part of the world that the way they are living (with sensitivity to earth, season, and hard- ship) is uncivilized. That instead of grass huts that can be rebuilt if a drought causes a family to move, they must build multi-story buildings in town centers, out of concrete in order to be considered civilized. Instead, the loss of this pride in culture can be reversed. This thesis investigated whether or not architecture can be created in this third world region that gives thought to aesthetics, environment, culture and socio-economic situation; Can a building built in sub-Saharan Af- rica be constructed for more than just the function of shelter, no mat- ter what the aesthetic costs? Can it be functional, affordable, easily constructed and take into account design aesthetic? A new generation of architecture can emerge in Africa: a generation of sustainable, aesthetically sensitive buildings that educate inhabitants about their heritage and environment; a generation of architecture that begins to return pride in culture and heritage to populations in grave danger of losing knowledge of both. [westernization in sub-saharan africa] 9 I. Westernization, Colonization, Globalization It is important to fi rst divine the difference between westernization, colonization, and globalization. Westernization is defi ned in the American Heritage dictionary as an “assimilation of Western culture; the social process of ... converting to the customs and practices of Western civilization” 1 the terms customs and practices generally refer to such matters as industry, technology, law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, language, alphabet, religion, or values; and the term ‘Western’ refers to American as well as western European culture.2 Westernization has been an accelerating infl uence sweeping the world in the last few centuries; however westernization is Fig 1.1 Instead of traditional exterior fi nishes, advertisements for usually a two sided process. Western infl uences goods are being painted on the outside of buildings and interests must be met by a wish of at least part of the affected society to change is often the result from the encounter. During the towards a more western model of society, in shock phase, “civil repression using military force the hope of attaining western lifestyle or some may lead to a cultural collapse, or ethnocide.”5 aspects of it. If it was not a two sided process, Western designers must be cognizant of the affect it would be considered colonization, not that American culture can have on another. I am westernization.3 However, westernization has in no way saying that westernization is all bad different degrees of “domination, destruction, – it brings with it raised standards of living and new resistance, adaptation, and modifi cation of the technology much needed by developing countries. native culture.” 4 In a situation where the native However, westernization is often all encompassing. culture experiences destruction because of a According to Conrad Phillip, author of Window on more powerful outside culture, a “shock phase” Humanity, westerners will “attempt to remake the 10 native culture within their own image, ignoring the not follow colonization in that respect, but fact that the models of culture that they have created both all-encompassing westernization and are inappropriate for settings outside of western colonization generally “dominate the resources, civilization”6 It is the all-encompassing westernization labor and markets, and may also impose socio- westernization that I will refer to in the rest of the study, for it is this all cultural, religious and linguistic structures on encompassing westernization that threatens to take the indigenous population”.8 This thesis will not over the developing countries of Africa: the complete address colonization further, but it is important to and total disregard for traditional culture, customs, understand how closely related westernization natural environment and socio-economic status of the and colonization could be. place, whether by the westerners or the inhabitants of Globalization is not an imperialist movement, the place itself. These countries are facing ethnocide it is a term referring to the increasing global without the help of westernization, we cannot be “connectivity, integration, and interdependence cavalier and help them achieve that end by mercilessly in the economic, social, technological, cultural, pumping our products (fi g 1.1, fi g 1.2), ideologies, political, and ecological spheres.”9 It is the economic structures, political structures, architecture, “process by which the experience of everyday and technology upon them. It is a two sided process, life…is becoming standardized around the but we as westerners can encourage, and lead by world.”10 The Encyclopedia Britannica also example cultural awareness, and preservation of states that “many scholars studying the tradition; we can help them fi nd a balance that does patterns of globalization believe these patters not encourage ethnocide. are converging, resulting in homogenization of All encompassing westernization borders on culture.”11 Globalization in itself is inevitable, colonization, not physical colonization but cultural. with television, mobile phones, and satellites to Physical colonization is the extension of a sovereign send information around the world in seconds. nation over a territory outside of its proper borders. We do, however, have control over whether or According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, “before not globalization homogenizes our cultures. colonization can be effected, the indigenous population Globalization’s affect on westernization is simply must be subdued and assimilated or converted to adding fuel to the fi re. The western lifestyle the culture of the colonists.”7 Westernization does is readily viewed, emulated, and purchased 11 I. Westernization, Colonization, Globalization around the world (fi g 1.2); globalization Northern neighbors: Egypt, Sudan, Morocco etc. can be seen as simply strengthening the Instead of inspiring these sub-Saharan countries movement of westernization. Instead, let us to modern living standards, these countries became look at globalization as an opportunity to temper slaves to the idea of westernization. Instead of living in westernization. Globalization offers many their waterproof huts constructed of natural materials, it advantages that don’t have directly to do with was seen as a step towards modernization to live in a westernization – international shipping, material shack made of cardboard and tin; one that leaked, and improvements and imports, the sharing of more kept cooking smoke inside of the building. While modern effi cient construction methods from all over the architecture

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