Beehives, a photo from Gauteng, East

Photographer's Note

After seeing Henry's post of Xhosa huts (see http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Africa/South_Africa/photo42561.htm) I decided to post this image of the Zulu huts in the garden at the Voortrekker monument in Pretoria.
These are reproductions of the huts that Shaka and the Zulu people lived in at the time of Battle of Blood River. (The Voortrekker Monument was built to commemorate the Voortrekkers' victory at this battle.)

The huts are domes constructed by lacing pliable saplings together for the walls using bark for tying material. This is then covered with common thatch grass "Hyparrhiania hirta". Depending on the size of the hut, there might be a central pole for support, but these were not big enough.
There is an aloe visible in front. These were apparently traditionally used as a perimeter fence.

ianmcall, Motrem, andreni oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

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ianmcall (1213) 2004-03-23 5:49

Interesting subject material and a good note. While I was in Botswana I taught about Shaka and his wars, so this brings back memories!

I would have moved to the left so that the aloe didn't intrude into the space of the hut doorway, and also to lose the distracting rocks in the front. What I'd do with this shot is crop in closer to the huts, losing some of the tree overhang, the rocky foreground and the space on the left. this would focus attention on the huts and allow them to fill the frame.

Motrem (2392) 2004-03-23 18:14

Very interesting, I am confused because it is the first time when I see such huts. It is certainly the long work that to braid such an environment. I like the composition and I find beautiful colours.

Trčs intéressant, je suis dépaysée car c'est la premičre fois que je vois de telles huttes. C'est certainement un long travail que de tresser un tel habitat. J'aime la composition et je trouve les couleurs belles.