Domestic Architecture in Benin City

(A Study of Continuity and Change)

By

EKHAESE Eghosa Noel CU/PG/04/062

Presented To

Department of Architecture

Abstract
 
The culture of people determines and shapes the domestic space in their domestic
architecture. Subsequent modifications of the  idea have focused on more precise  revelations
of how the spatial  arrangements of material culture are culturally patterned.  Through a
topological analysis of house plans and patterns, collected from the City of Benin, this study
detects a  transformation  in the house-type  aspired and developed by people  during the last
five centuries.  A group of 1054 houses, located  in four residential zones  in Benin City, Nigeria, has been analysed by means of  frequency distribution,  Space Syntax categories  and factor analysis.
The research is determined  to find out how the use, organization and meaning of space in
Benin have changed and whether or not there are continuities over the years across the entire
City.   The Space Syntax approach is used to measure the varying degree of change at each
stage of the evolution. Here, the „space-activity‟ interaction is the main idea that enables us to
see what underlies the process. As the old  spaces  take different names and functions in the
new  design, they bring about the recombination of their activities, and when this occurs
repeatedly at each stage, it leaves behind „topological paths‟ from which the direction of the
evolution can be measured.  Further examinations reveal that the  space-activity interaction
arises both at each partitioned  space and at the collective  space that is closely  related. The
analysis of the attitudes and responses of the residents using factor analysis revealed that both
socio-economic and socio-cultural factors are responsible for the change and continuity in the
domestic space.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page ----------------------------------------------------------------
Declaration----------------------------------------------------------------i
Certification-------------------------------------------------------------- - ii
Dedication----------------------------------------------------------------iii
Acknowledgements--------------------------------------------------------iv  
Table of Content----------------------------------------vi  
List of Tables ---------------- - ------------------------------------------ - xi
List of Figures -------------------------------------------------------- - xiv
List of Plates---------------- - ---------------------------------------- - xviii
Abstract----------------------------------------------------------------xix
 
CHAPTER 1           INTRODUCTION
11 Background to the Study---------------------------------------------- - 1
12 Statement of the Problem ------------------------------------------------6
13 Research Questions------------------------------------7
14 Aim and Objectives of the Study--------------------------------------------7
15 Scope of the Study ------------------------------------------------------8  
16 The Context of the Study ------------------------------------------------ - 9
161 The History and People of Benin City--------------------------9
162 Historical Background-------------------------------- - 12
163 Benin and its Surrounding Villages--------------------------18
164 Residential Zones in Benin City----------------------------20
 
CHAPTER 2           LITERATURE REVIEW
21 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------24
22 Domestic Architecture and Culture----------------------------------------24
23 Social and Cultural Change----------------------------------------------32
24 Urbanization and Urban Change ------------------------------------------46
25 Summary---------------------------------------- - 56
 
CHAPTER 3              THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
3 1 Introduction----------------------------------------58
32 Concept of Culture---------------------------------------------------- - 58
33 House Form and Culture---------------------------------------------- - 60
34 Traditional versus Modern Houses-------------------------------------- - 63
35 Classification of House-types -------------------------------------- - 66  
36 Organization, Use and Meaning of Space---------------------------------- - 68
37 Household------------------------------------------------------ - 72
38 Summary---------------------------------------- - 75
 
CHAPTER 4               RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
41 Introduction------------------------------------------------------------77
42 The Research Design-------------------------------------------------- - 78   
43 Study Population--------------------------------------------------------79  
44 Sampling Method/Procedure--------------------------------------80
45 Sample Size---------------------------------------------------------- 80
46 Data Collection------------------------------------------------------ - 83 TABLE OF CONTENTS
461 Design of Questionnaire ---------------------------------------------- - 84
462 Design of Interview Schedule ----------------------------------85
463 Data Collection and Presentation----------------------------------------86
 
CHAPTER 5              SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE RESIDENTS IN BENIN
51 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------88
52 Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Residents---------------------------- - 89
521 Household Income-------------------------------------------------- - 90
522 Occupational Structure--------------------------------------------------92
523 Age and Sex ------------------------------------------------------ - 93
524 Marital Status and Household Size-------------------------------------- - 94
525 Ethnic Composition-------------------------------------------------- - 95
526 Educational Background of Respondents-------------------------------- - 96
527 Tenure status of respondents------------------------------97
53 Socio-Cultural Characteristics of Residents---------------------------------- - 98
531 Religion------------------------------------------------------------ - 99
532 Number of household ---------------------------------------------- - 99
54 Summary----------------------------------------100
 
CHAPTER 6           HOUSES IN BENIN: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS
61 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------102
62 Classification of the Houses and their Characteristics------------------------ - 103
63 Classification of the Houses --------------------------------------------103
631 Core Residential Zone------------------------------------------------107 vii
632 Intermediate Residential Zone---------------------------------------- - 120
633 Sub-urban Residential Zone------------------------------------------ - 133
 
634 Planned Estate Residential Zone----------------------------------------141
64 Characteristics of the Houses------------------------------------------ - 150
641 Tenure Composition------------------------------------------------ - 150
642 Number of Household in the House--------------------------------------152
643 Length of Years of Stay in the House---------------------------------- - 153
644 Age of the House----------------------------------------------------154
645 Owner----------------------------------------156 
65 Synthesis------------------------------------------------------158
 
CHAPTER 7      ORGANIZATION, USE AND MEANING OF SPACES IN BENIN
HOUSES
71 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------160
72 Approaches to the Study of Organization, Use and Meaning of Domestic Space---- - 161
73 The Architectural Approach-------------------------------------------- - 161
731 Organization and Use of Domestic Space----------------------------------162
732 Meaning of Domestic Space------------------------------------------ - 162
733 Socio-Spatial Analysis of Domestic Spaces in Benin---------------------- - 164
734 Socio-Spatial Analysis of the House-types across the Residential Zones----------165
735 Houses types--------------------------------------------------------166
74 Analysis and Interpretation of Organization, Use and Meaning of Domestic   
Space in Benin------------------------------------------------------166
741 Cooking and Eating Spaces------------------------------------------ - 167
742 Storage Space for Household Goods------------------------------------180 viii
743 Sleeping Arrangement---------------------------------------------- - 188
744 Space for Personal Hygiene------------------------------------------ - 196
745 Outdoor Spaces (Communal, Private and Public), Receiving Guest ---------- - 209
746 Space for Worship and Socializing, Ceremonies and Festival----------------222
747 Summary and Interpretation------------------------------------------ - 236
75 Data on Attitudes and Response of Respondents ----------------------------237
751 Summary---------------------------------------------------------- - 244  
76 Synthesis----------------------------------------245
 
CHAPTER 8           SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
81 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------- - 246
82 Summaries of Findings ---------------------------------------------- - 247
83 Synthesis ---------------------------------------------------------- - 249
84 Syntheses of Continuity and Change--------------------------251
85 Implications of Findings ---------------------------------------------- - 251
86 Emerging Issues--------------------------------------------------252
861 Public and Private Spaces-------------------------------------------- - 252
862 Privacy------------------------------------------------------------ - 253
863 Training for Local Builders-------------------------------------------- - 253
864 Security---------------------------------------------------------- - 253
865 Building for Culture and Climate----------------------------------------254
87 Conclusions-------------------------------------------------------- - 254
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY---------------------------------------------------- - 256  
APPENDIX---------------------------------------------------------- - 277  ix
 


List of Plates
 
Plate 11:   Engraving Showing Warriors with Spears and Shields, Drummers  
                  and Dancers, during a Ceremony in the Oba Palace-------------------- - 13                         
Plate 12: Pre-Colonial Drawing of Benin City, Before The British Occupation-------- - 15                         
Plate 61: Private Courtyard (Harem for Women and Children) - Ikun N’oderie-------- - 108
Plate 62: Private Courtyard- (Harem for Women and Children) - Ikun N’oderie--------109
Plate 63: Public Courtyard (Entrance Courtyard) - (Ikun N’odore)--------------------109
Plate 64: Outer Courtyard for Shrines and 1dols - (Ikun N’arhuera)------------------111
Plate 65: Shows That Externally the Mud Walls are Finished in a  
               Pattern of Horizontal Ribs------------------------------------------112
               Double Floor House----------------------------------------------192

 
List of Figures
 
Fig 11: Map of the Kingdom of Benin In the nineteenth century--------------------10                          
Fig 12: Present Day Nigeria, Showing the Position of Benin City--------------------11
Fig 13: Reconstructed Kingdom Benin Flag, now in the British National Maritime Museum-------------------------------------------- - 12                         
Fig14: Map of Benin and Its Surrounding  Villages------------------------------ - 19
Fig 15: Map Showing Residential Zone in Benin-City---------------------------- - 20
Fig 16: Plan of Benin-City Showing the Core Area and Intermediate Area------------22
Fig 21: Culture Changes in Tandem with Built Environment------------------------37                         
Fig 22: Tracing the Change Over Time---------------------------------------- - 38
Fig 31: Hierarchy of Spaces, Showing Private, Semi-Private and Communal Spaces ----69
Fig 32: Summary of Conceptual Framework on Built Form and Culture--------------74   
Fig 41: Map Showing Residential Zone in Benin-City---------------------------- - 81
Fig 61a Floor Plan of a Palace Compound Benin House--------------------------113  
Fig 62b: Floor Plan of a Palace Compound Benin House------------------------ - 114
Fig 63c: Floor Plan of a Palace Compound Benin House--------------------------115
Fig 64a: Floor Plan of a Family Compound Benin House------------------------ - 117
Fig 65: Floor Plan of a Modified Family Compound Benin House------------------119                           
Fig 66b: Floor Plan of a Modified Family Compound Benin House----------------122
Fig 67c: Floor Plan of a Modified Family Compound Benin House---------------- - 123    
Fig 68: Floor Plan of an Adapted Family Compound Benin House---------------- - 125                            
Fig 69a: Floor Plan of a Hybrid Family Compound Benin House------------------126  xiii
Fig 610b: Floor Plan of a Hybrid Family Compound Benin House---------------- - 127    
Fig 611a: Floor Plan of a Face Me I Face Youâ€Â� Central Corridor House------------ - 129
Fig 612b: Floor Plan of a Face Me I Face Youâ€Â� Corridor House-Type-------------- - 130                         
Fig 613: Floor Plan of a Detached Bungalow House----------------------------132
Fig 614: Floor Plan of Semi-Detached Flats of Double Floor House----------------133
Fig 615: Floor Plan of a Modified Family-Compound Benin House----------------135      
Fig 616c: Floor Plan of a Face Me I Face Youâ€Â� Corridor House-Type-------------- - 136
Fig 617: Floor Plan of A Semi-Detached Flats Single Floor House---------------- - 137
Fig 618: Floor Plan of a Semi-Detached Flats Double Floor House----------------138
Fig 619a: Floor Plan of a Detached Bungalow House----------------------------139
Fig 620b: Floor Plan of a Detached Bungalow House----------------------------140
Fig 621c: Floor Plan of a Detached Bungalow House----------------------------141
Fig 622b: Floor Plan of a Semi-Detached Flats Single Floor House---------------- - 143
Fig 623d: Floor Plan of a Detached Bungalow House----------------------------144  
Fig 624: Floor Plan of a Duplex House-Type---------------------------------- - 145
Fig 625: Ground and Upper Floor Plan of a Detached House----------------------147
Fig 626: Basement, Ground and Upper Floor Plan of a Detached Villa House-Type----149                   
Fig 71a: Floor Plan of a Palace Compound Courtyard House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Palace Compound Courtyard House ---------------------- - 190
Fig 71b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Palace Compound Courtyard House-- 191 xiv
Fig 72a: Floor Plan of a Family Compound Courtyard House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Family Compound Courtyard House------------------------169
Fig 72b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Family Compound Courtyard House --------------------------------------------170            
Fig 73a: Floor Plan of an Adapted Family Compound Courtyard House Socio-Spatial Analysis of an Adapted Family Compound Courtyard House---- - 181
Fig 73b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Adapted Family Compound Courtyard House -------------------------------------------- - 182
Fig 74a: Floor Plan of a Hybrid Family Compound Courtyard House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Hybrid Family Compound Courtyard House------211
Fig 74b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability A Hybrid Family Compound Courtyard House -------------------------------------------- - 212
Fig 75a: Floor Plan of a Common Corridor House (Face Me I Face You)Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Common Corridor House (Face Me I Face You)-- - 224
Fig 75b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Common Corridor House (Face Me I Face You)----------------------------------------225
Fig 76a: Floor Plan of a Detached Bungalow House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Detached Bungalow House--------------------------------199
Fig 76b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Detached Bungalow House------ - 199
Fig 77a: Floor Plan of a Semi-Detached Double Floor House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Semi-Detached Double Floor House --------------------192
Fig 77b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Semi-Detached xv
Fig 78a: Floor Plan of a Modified Family Compound Courtyard House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Modified Family Compound Courtyard House----197
Fig 78b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Modified Family Compound Courtyard House--------------------------------------198
Fig 79a: Floor Plan of a Semi-Detached Single Floor House Socio-Spatial Analysis of A Semi-Detached Single Floor House--------------------171
Fig 79b: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Semi-Detached Single Floor House----------------------------------------------------171
Fig 710a: Ground and Upper Floor Plan of a Detached Double Floor Villa House Socio-Spatial Analysis of a Detached Double Floor Villa House---------- - 226
Fig 710c: Justified Graph for Space Permeability a Detached Double Floor Villa House----------------------------------------------------228  

List of Tables
 
Table 41: Calculated Sample Size (Total Residential Houses Across the Four Residential Zones Projected From 1991-2009 (52, 850)----------------83
Table 51: Income per Annum of the Respondent----------------------------------91
Table 52: Occupation of the Respondent----------------------------------------92
Table 53: Age of the Respondent----------------------------------------------93
Table 54: Gender of the Respondent------------------------------------------ - 93
Table 55: Marital Status of Respondent----------------------------------------94
Table 56: Number of Persons in the Household of the Respondent (Household Size)----95
Table 57: Educational Background of Respondent--------------------------------96
 Table 58: Tenure Status of Respondent----------------------------------------97
Table 59: Religion of the Respondent------------------------------------------99
Table 510: Number of Household in the House---------------------------- - 100
Table 61: Number of Selected Residential Houses in the Four Zone of Benin--------102
Table 62: The House-Types As Identified During the Field Survey------------104  
Table 63: Tenure Composition----------------------------------------------151
Table 64: Number of Household in the House----------------------------------152
Table 65: Length of Years of Stay in the House-------------------------------- - 154
Table 66: Age of the House-------------------------------------------- - 155
Table 67: Owner of the House--------------------------------------------157
Table 71: Cooking and Eating (a Place for Meal Preparation)----------------------174
Table 72: Cooking and Eating (the Cooking Space Users)------------------------ - 175
Table 73: Cooking and Eating (the Usage of the Cooking Space)------------------ - 175x
Table 74: Cooking and eating (Number of Households Sharing cooking space)------ - 177
Table 75: Cooking and eating (Space Allocated for Dish Washing)---------------- - 178
Table 76: Cooking and eating (Space for Family Eating)------------------------ - 179
Table 77: Storage of Household Goods (Space for Storing Cooking Utensils)--------184
Table 78: Storage of Household Goods (Space for Storing Raw Food Item)---------- - 185
Table 79: Storage of Household Goods (Space for Preservation of Water)---------- - 186
Table 710: Storage of Household Goods (Space for Keeping Clothes)--------------187
Table 711: Storage of Household Goods (thoughts on the Arrangement of Space)---- - 188
Table 712: Sleeping Arrangement (Sleeping Space For Different Members of the Family)- --------------------------------- - 195
Table 713: Sleeping Arrangement (Relaxation Space for the Respondent Any Time of the Day) ------------------------------ - 196
Table 714: Personal Hygiene (Space for Family Bath) -------------------------- - 202
Table 715: Personal Hygiene (Usage of Space for Family Bath)------------------ - 203
Table 716: Personal Hygiene (Number of Households Using the Space for Family Bath) ---------------------------- - 204  
Table 717: Personal Hygiene (Space for Washing Clothes by Household)------------205
Table 718: Personal Hygiene (Usage of Space for Washing Clothes)----------------206
Table 719: Personal Hygiene (Type of Toilet Being Used by Household)------------ - 207
Table 720: Personal Hygiene (Location of Toilet Facility)------------------------208
Table 721: Personal Hygiene (Usage of Space for Toilet)------------------------209
 
Table 722: Outdoor Space (Demarcation of Space Around the House)--------------215
 
Table 723: Outdoor Space (Use of External Space Around the House)--------------216
 
Table724: Outdoor Space (Engaging in Small Business at Home)------------------217 xi
Table 725: Outdoor Space (Type of Small Business at Home)--------------------218
Table 726: Visitors (Space for Receiving Visitor)-------------------- - 219
 
Table 727: Visitors (Space for Receiving Visitor that Will Stay Overnight) ----------220
Table 728: Visitors (Inconveniences of Visitor Staying Overnight) ---------------- - 221
Table 729: Visitors (Possibility of Having Appropriate Space for Visitor  
                   Staying Overnight) --------------------------------222
 
Table 730: Worship (Performing of Religious Activities in the House) ------------ - 230
 
Table 731: Worship (Space for Performing Religious Activities in the House)--------232
 
Table 732: Worship (Space for Worship in the House) --------------------------233
 
Table 733: Worship (Existence of Such Space for Worship in the House)---------- - 234
 
Table 734: Worship (Reason for Non-Existence of Such Space for Worship  
                   in the House)---------------------------------- - 235
Table 735: Worship (Importance of Space for Worship in the House)------------ - 235
Table 736: Factors Responsible for Change and Continuity in Core Zone---------- - 238
Table 737: Factors Responsible for Change and Continuity in Intermediate Zone---- - 239
Table 738: Factors Responsible for Change and Continuity in Sub-Urban Zone------241
Table739: Factors Responsible for Change and Continuity in Planned Estate Zone----243
Table 740: Factors that Determine the People‟s Response and Attitudes towards  
                   Change in Domestic Spaces as well as Continuity in Domestic Space
                   across the Four Residential Zones in Benin--------------------244