Architecture of Pastoral Communities: Evidence for Cultural Convergence?
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
The architecture of two geographically isolated, pastoral communities was compared to illustrate how unrelated societies with similar lifestyles can exhibit architectural convergence. The Himba, a semi nomadic tribe in northwestern Namibia, and the Navajo, a Native American tribe located in northern Arizona, were the groups I selected due to their comparable cultures, climate, and lifestyle. Photographs of village structures as well as the overall village layouts were used to make comments on the architectural similarities. The results reveal remarkable village associations, specifically the uniformity regarding the orientation of the livestock enclosures and important huts. The development of similar cultural and architectural adaptations by different communities in response to similar environmental conditions implicates the influence of cultural convergent evolution (Haviland 2010).Type
textElectronic Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Honors CollegeSoil, Water, and Environmental Science