Nupe architecture

Nupe architecture refers to the traditional homes of the Nupe, located within the middle belt of Nigeria with two notable landscapes of upland and riverine communities. The group of houses, Emizhi, constitutes a ward, efu, while in larger settlements, wards are separated by farms, land, or open spaces. The construction, decoration and use of materials, reflect the cultural world view and local environments inhabited by the Nupe.

Form

The main construction materials are clay, Eggun, and traditionally Dongo but nowadays a galvanized iron roofing sheet, and a fench, Tsara. The huts typically employ sun-dried bricks, plastered in mortar. The homes feature various cultural motifs such as geometric decoration or ornamentation patterns on doors, walls and roof junctions.
Nupe compounds consist of several individual courtyard units linked together by alleys. A typical compound includes a katamba, keta, zhempa, ega, edo, katagi, yekun and shikipata. The Nupe family system usually includes the extended family living together.
The zhempa is an exterior out of the door space, surrounded by at least a kitchen, animal pen and rooms. Furthermore, the zhempa may also serve as a resting place if the weather proves too hot. The katamba serves as the main entrance and name stems from kata and mba, literally translating to "the lord's room". It is an important structure because no compound is without a ''katamba.''