USING A LIVING HERITAGE APPROACH TO IDENTIFY, DOCUMENT AND CONSERVE THE ARCHITECTURAL ATTRIBUTES OF KONSO VERNACULAR COMPOUNDS FROM COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS

Abstract

Vernacular architecture is one of the main tangible cultural heritages that for centuries have been contributing to human lives by helping them cope with their environment. The rural areas of Ethiopia are enriched with stunning vernacular settlements, compounds, and housing units that have distinct patterns and characteristics. Konso is one of the oldest rural fortified settlements filled with different vernacular housing typologies in Ethiopia. Even though this vernacular heritage has survived the past hundred years, they have passed through a certain type of transformation. This affects the unique types of materials and construction techniques that were used by the vernacular house designers which in turn influences the vernacular houses to lose their cultural and social significance in the community. This study aims to create a clear image of the Konso vernacular attributes that can be adapted to new housing developments whereby the identity of Konso's cultural heritage can be preserved in times to come. A qualitative type of research was conducted using an explanatory case study method in the Dara and Gamole villages of Konso Zone Karat town administration. The study used both multi-stage sampling and purposive sampling methods. This study used both primary and secondary types of data sources. In this research, a total of 10 vernacular households were selected for the observations and an in-depth interview of 4 local elders and 3 traditional house experts was performed. The data gathered were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The findings of this study are that Konso vernacular houses have undergone a complete and partial type of transformation in the different aspects of the Konso vernacular houses. These transformations are in terms of spatial arrangement, building material and construction, and the residential compounds. The transformation process is a result of many factors like urbanization, globalization, availability of building materials, and poor policy framework. The study also finds out that climate is not the factor for the transformation in the case of Konso.