INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter Ace, while others may be from any type o f computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zed) Road, Arm Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 HISTORICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN YEMENI VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE; HOUSES FROM THE SULAYHID DYANSTY (439/1047) TO THE MODERN PERIOD DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State Univeresity by Lealan Anderson Nunn Swanson, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1997 Dissertation Committee: Approveffby Professor Howard C. Crane, Adviser Professor F. Stephen Dale Adviser Professor Julia Andrews Department of the History of Art ÜMI Number: 9731726 Copyright 1997 by Swanson, Lealan Anderson Nunn All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9731726 Copyright 1997, hy UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Copyright by Lealan Anderson Nunn Swanson 1997 ABSTRACT Using a hypothesis, this study explores historical perspectives o f vernacular architecture in the central highlands of southern Arabia of the Yemen Arab Republic. Domestic architecture is the focus here of the idea that an area tends to build in the style of the time of its greatest prosperity. The style of houses, in other words, changes with increases in local prosperity. Because of the changing nature of domestic architecture and a perception that it is not important, especially because it is not designed by architects, there are few studies which attempt to place houses in a historical context. Style as defined in this study is based on analyses of construction details which were an indigenous and assumed part of a builder’s training. Such details as wall construction, arch construction, windows and basic house plans are considered as unconscious elements of style. These details are matched against sacred public buildings with known histories and dates such as mosques, to determine the date of appearance of types of building techniques. Also noted are new ideas which are introduced both in public and in private buildings to determine the approximate date of their appearance. Three examples chosen for the study are towns in the south central part of the Yemen massif. They are the highland towns of Dhu Jiblah and Ibb and the middle elevation town of Ta'izz. Extant written histories are matched against elements of building to ascertain the historic style. In Dhu Jiblah, the Dar al-'Izz, a reputed palace of the Sulayhid dynasty (439-532/ 1047-1138), was selected. Several houses from Ta'izz show elements of a style which was introduced when Ta'izz was the capital of the Rasulid sultans (626-858/ 1228-1454). The final house is from the town of Ibb, Beit al­ ii Aziz, and represents a more modest example of house building from the eighteenth century which was modified as late as 1950. These case studies are examined and described first in terms of their physical setting. Then the historic background is discussed. For Dhu Jiblah, the writings o f al- 'Umarah (d. c. 1173), are used. For Ta'izz, al-FChazraji (d. 1405), has left chronicles of the Rasulid court. For Ibb, the historic sources are somewhat sketchier. Discussion of historic information is coupled with descriptions of remaining structures which are then compared to examples of known date and origin. In this way, a picture of what building elements were local, what were imported, and what the vernacular architecture was like at a point in history is presented. The case studies are then compared with contemporary information to ascertain levels and types of change. The first section gives a brief background on houses in the pre-Islamic era. Then house building styles from surrounding areas are compared to Yemeni developments to gain an idea of sources for some characteristics of the architecture of the south central highlands of Arabia. Medieval Eg>'pt is found to be the apparent strongest source of influence on Yemen. Because vernacular architecture is a reflection of social practices, a brief documentation of social and economic expectations is offered next. Finally, new building since the Revolution o f 1962, is compared to the older architecture to gain a perspective on new directions and changes. HI ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Though it is not possible, of course, to thank each person, I wish to take this opportunity to especially thank some people here. For those who have been most directly involved with this work, I wish to thank especially my committee members. Dr. Howard C. Crane, Dr. Stephen Dale and Dr. Julia Andrews. Without their help and support, this study would not be possible. For help and encouragement beyond the necessary, I am most deeply grateful to Dr. Ronald Lewcock at the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta who generously shared time, information and resources. Father Albert Jamme kindly corresponded with me about the plan of a pre- Islamic house. Old fnends and acquaintances from Yemen are also due thanks for their support, encouragement and sharing over the years. Among these are: Dr. Thomas Stevenson, Dr. Susan Dorsky, Dr. Daniel Varisco, Dr. Najwa Adra, Dr. Jon C. Swanson and Ms. Linda Boxberger. Dr. Brinkley Messick helped with information about Ibb. Mr. Muhammad al-Aziz was generous to discuss the family home he owns in Ibb. Among the people who have helped on a more personal level, I would like to thank those who supported and stood by me, generously offering discussion, and support. These include Ms. Catherine Swanson, Mr. Gunnar Swanson, Mr. Lance Richards, Ms. Joan Jebsen and Dr. Anderson Macklin. I want to especially thank Ms. Gwen Combs whose invaluable advice, kept me writing. There are many people who have made this study possible and I hope that those whose names do not appear will know that they have my gratitude. IV VITA January 9, 1942......................Bom Patterson, New Jersey. 1960-64 .........B.A. Art and German, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC. 1964-66 ..........M. A., Oriental Art History, University o f Iowa, Iowa City, lA. 1990-present...Assistant Professor, Department of Art, Jackson State University, Jackson, Ms. 1988-89..........Instructor, Department o f Art, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC. Instructor: Duke University Institute for Learning in Retirement, Durham, NC. 1987-88..........Editor, American Schools of Oriental Research, Durham, NC. 1985-87..........Instructor, North Carolina Central University, Department of Art, Durham, NC. 1982-84..........Resident Director, American Institute for Yemeni Studies, San’a’, Yemen Arab Republic. 1979-82..........Assistant Director, Southeast Dearborn Community Council, Dearborn, MI. 1976-79..........Instructor, University Studies/Weekend College, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. 1974-75........ Teacher Elementary Art Grades 1-8, Muhammad 'Ali Othman School, Ta'izz, Yemen Arab Republic. 1970-74.......... Instructor Art History, Department of Art, Wayne State University,, Detroit, MI. 1969-70......... Instructor Art History, Rockhurst College, Kansas City, MO. 1968-70.......... Slide Librarian, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO. 1966-68 .......... Acquisitions Librarian, University of Iowa, Main Library, Iowa City, LA. 1964-66 .......... Graduate Assistant Slide Curator, Department of Art, University of Iowa, Iowa City, lA. 1964................ Summer Intern, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC. Grants: 1994.............. American Association of University Women: Career Development Grant 1993.............. Mississippi Humanities Council: Development Grant for Treasures of the Queen of Sheba" Exhibit. 1979-82.........Mobil Oil Company: Plarming Grant for the Southeast Dearborn Community Council, Dearborn, MI. National Endowment for the Humanities: Self-study Grant for Museum Planning for the Southeast Dearborn Community Council. V National Endowment for the Arts: Palestinian and Romanian Needlework; Folk Art Classes for Southeast Dearborn Community Council, Dearborn, Ml. PUBLICATIONS 1. Lealan N. Swanson, Abstract: "Approaches to Teaching Non-Western Art History," Southeastern College