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Contemporary Urban Affairs
2018 , Volume 2 , Number 3 , pages 10 – 19
Vernacular Architectural Preservation of Material and
Spiritual Interconnected Cultural Heritage
* B.A. ALMIRA KHAFIZOVA
Department of Architecture, Girne American University, Turkey E mail: halmirah@hotmail.com
A B S T R A C T
Vernacular architecture presents sustainable minimum-impact
structures harmonized with their context and inhabitants. Heritage
preserved tangible and intangible in material forms, encrypted spiritual
believes of humanity's life in dwellings’ organization unveiling the
details of our ancestors’ life and world cultures’ connectivity.
Instigated by modern-world urbanization, sustainability and cultural
diversity issues, the study is researching on cultures connectivity,
corresponding to the scale and context of the global cityscape and
attempting to synthesize vernacular heritage. The objective of this
research is to study indigenous human congruent architectural
examples and their relationship with intangible aspects of habitat. This
paper will be adapting a qualitative method, by which it aims to study
and observe various examples so as to analyze interconnections of
Siberian Chums and Native-American Tipi, their design driving forces,
settlement of the 2nd century BC- Arkaim and Japanese traditional
architecture.
CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS (201 8 ), 2 ( 3 ), 10 - 19.
https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018. www.ijcua.com Copyright © 2018 Contemporary Urban Affairs. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction Vernacular architecture bears climate-efficient regional and time proven sustainable systems, the analysis of which can benefit locally oriented modern architecture. Through the study of various examples, one can notice the firm presence of spiritual aspects, religious or pagan believes as driving forces of dwellings’ planning. Space will always remain to be very influential to the quality of human life that is based on intangible psychological aspects and habitual traditions. Importance of vernacular architecture’s preservation is indisputable, it absorbs to reflect culture and traditions performing as a living historical evidence. Thus analyzing extant vernacular architectural forms and venturing into their inner space organizations this study seeks to identify the unifying principle. The case of Siberians and Native American inhabitants’ architecture similarities is not a coincidence, it is another proof of cultures’ links on a par with language analogies proposed by Edward Vajda and detailed DNA analysis held by the Centre for GeoGenetics. As two * Corresponding Author: Department of Architecture, Girne American University, Turkey E-mail address: almira.khafizou@std.gau.edu.tr
A R T I C L E I N F O:
Article history: Received 15 July 2018 Accepted 23 September 2018 Available online 13 October 2018 Keywords: Vernacular Architecture; Arkaim; Chum; Tipi. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution
- NonCommercial - NoDerivs 4.0. "CC-BY-NC-ND"
distantly evolving communities, Siberian including Nenets, Evenks, Navkhs, Yuits, Kereks and Native Americans or so-called Indians have same believes, shamanic background and therefore architectural analogies shown in Chums and Tipis. Centralization of fire, noticed in Japanese architecture and so common for Zoroastrian architecture is seen in both of previously noted vernacular dwellings’ examples as well as in another case of research, the Bronze Age settlement of Arkaim inhabited by Agni- worshipers. Studied in light of cultural connectivity through the intangible background of spaces design by first architects, its religious aspect may link it with present-day differentiated cultures and arise more research possibilities.
2. Siberian Chum – the life center of Nenets people Siberia region of Russia has exceptional architectural treasures, carefully transferred to the modern world by the indigenous population of this region. The example of chums is referred to Middle Siberia inhabited by Nenets tribes, also noticed in the cultures of Hasova, Samoeds, Evenks, Navkhs and Uraks. Yamal peninsula, the place where Nenet people abide, is not an exception for the impetus of infrastructure in the 21st^ century. Local research conducted by Boyarsky and Stolyarov (2000) shows that Yaman peninsula, and Vaigach Island in particular, was preserved and guarded by locals in the past because of its significance and sacred meaning. Moreover, as R. Jones, a member of S. Borrough’s expedition held in 1556, wrote: “wild Samoyeds live there, not allowing Russians to land”. (Boyarsky, Stolyarov, 2000, p. 30) However, inducing an economic interest nowadays, the region inhabited by Nenets is under the process of new development. With the construction of Obskaya-Bovanenkovo railway line, which is the northernmost in the world, Yamal Project has already impacted the local land ecosystem and the nomadic pace of Samoyedic life that was followed for centuries by disrupting their migration routes. Chance and Andreeva point on the problematic situation in the Russian North, saying that nowadays it is experiencing most dramatic environmental devastation that directs to the social disintegration. (N. A. Chance, E. N. Andreeva, 1995). The harsh climate with long winters and seasonal winds, severe waterlogging, and isolation forced ethnic group to adhere to their centuries’ nomadic routine solely dependent on hunting and deer keeping. Same as centuries ago, today Chum remains the center of Nenets’ lives, both habitual and sacred. However, this example shows that a vernacular dwelling preserves much more than a material architectural form. Detailed information was provided by the expedition of D. Andersons, in collaboration with the archaeological field research team of Dr. Viktor Vetrov of the Irktusk State Pedagogical University and Baikal- Hokkaido Archaeology Project (BAP) and then documented by Andersons. The author states that Evenk’s cone-shaped dwelling is an example of “how vernacular architecture reflected social structure” (2, 2006). An influential work done by Shirokogoroff (1929) unveils details of the indigenous pace of life and the meaning behind its details, providing “ an early authoritative schematic of the structure of a conical lodge with its distinctive pattern of names, which in turn implied certain roles to men, women and to guests ”. (1929, pp. 255 – 256). 2.1. Spiritual understanding of the world behind the spatial organizations of the dwelling. Same as in the previous century, modern chums bear the original vernacular exterior and interior spatial organization that have carried traditions, language and religion by the definite interdependence between form and function. Similarly as for inhabitants of North America or Canadian Plains, most aspects of Nenets’ life are interlinked with shamanism and this belief is shared among most of the aboriginal cultures of Siberia. In shamanism, the world differentiated into three partials: the sky, the land, and the underground are believed to be inhabited by human souls as well as by many other spirits, gods, protectors, and helpers that only shaman can reach to. For aboriginals of Siberia their self-eidolon was not differentiated from animals. It is important to mention that images of the world tree, the bear and the bird play a significant role in their life and folklore. (Mchedlov, et al., 2002) Despite forced Christianization, Siberian aboriginals preserved their religious and cultural identity, animism, totemism and shamanism, thanks to the successive mode of life and continuous direct dependence from nature. Chum, the resultant of nomadic Nenets’ life has always remained habitual and sacred central element. The dismountable dwelling’s spatial arrangement goes in accordance with
Figure 6. Elevations and sectional views; Chum illustrated during the construction process (Developed by Author). Vernacular architecture is the result of peoples’ adaptation, reflector of their culture, believes and traditions. Maximum affordable or free local sustainable materials and inherited techniques are used in the construction of these dwellings. Speaking about Nenets people’s vernacular architecture, Chum is the only tangible object to absorb, conserve and afterwards reflect traditions and mindset of Samoyeds - Siberia inhabitants and nomadic nations in general. Their life is a rare example to bear authenticity in the modern globalized world. Moreover, thence providing pure cultural architectural evidence.
3. Tent-like architectural form links distant continents’ cultures. Chums as well as Native American Tipis, dwellings more than 6000 kilometers away, have striking similarities despite the distance. One can notice the connection between distant cultures of Siberian and America’s first inhabitants through their vernacular architectural heritage. When studied more in detail and through the prism of equally important spheres of linguistics and genetics, too, it can serve as an evidence of cultures’ connection. The motivation and the leading force for most vernacular cultures remains to be the spiritual aspect of lives and thus every details of the indigenous dwelling becomes more than just a form but a conveyor of traces in some cases and the preserver of the heritage in others. Regarding architectural similarities, Siberian chum and Native American tipi are of circular shape, with fire as a main central element and shared spiritual background. Indigenous dwellings are both using poles to shape a cone structure and are covered with canvas or animal skins. This segment of the study will present Siberian- Native American connectivity analysis alongside the synthesis of different perspectives to enrich their hypothetical relativity to one another from an architectural standpoint. 3.1. Dene-Yeniseian, a linguistic link between America and Siberia. Due to the vital present-day debate apropos the origin of Native Americans, this paper suggests an alternative look upon their heritage comparison which is involving architecture. Some researchers are stating they have moved from West-Asia, and contemporary ones believe the wave of migration came from Siberia via north-eastern Alaskan bridge. A linguistic approach to this discussion, a hypothesis of Na-Dene (excluding Haida) and Yeniseian languages’ connection was presented in Dene-Yeniseic Symposium held in Alaska in February, 2008 (Vajda, 2010). It included multiple notable linguistic researches and was reinforced by various more from spheres of archaeology, genetics and folklore. Na-Dene is one of the most studied and widely used indigenous languages of Americas. Yeniseian, however, is a vestigial linguistic family with only Ket remaining in scarce use. Nonetheless, I would propose this hypothesis to be applied on the Indigenous American and Central Siberian cultures’ relationship. Siberian communities and nations can be differentiated into several groups when conducting linguistic, genetic, folklore and religious analysis. Thus, we can easily notice similarities in Samoyeds’ or Nenets’ and Kets’ shared traditions, spiritual life background, worshiping animism, and vernacular dwellings projecting as a preeminent cultures’ preservation object. 3.2. DNA analysis that unveil Native American ancestors. Another biological perspective was recently proposed by the international group of researchers. Despite the fact that that the accurate ancestor of Native Americans remains uncertain, the analysis led by the
Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark (University of Copenhagen) links them with Siberian indigenous population. The group of scientists sampled a 24,000-year-old skeletal remain from the Upper Paleolithic site of Mal’ta in south- central Siberia at the Hermitage Museum (Saint Petersburg) in 2009; and the second sample from Afontova Gora-2 that is dating to about 17,000 years ago. Results revealed the direct connection to Siberia. The group of scientists led by Eske Willerslev “estimate that 14 to 38% of Native American ancestry may originate through gene flow from this ancient population” (Rasmussen, S., et al., 2014, 87). Both of these hypotheses remain debatable, however outcomes demonstrate how vernacular architecture in its original form can act as a culture bridge.
4. Indo-Aryan Settlement of Arkaim – Coexistence of Sacred and Material. Arkaim is less studied and distant in time vernacular settlement that is embodying spiritual aspect of human life. It also became an architectural evidence to convey hereditary messages. Fire-centered space organization is referring to the fire-worshiping Indo-Aryan nature of the settlement with no doubt, creating a universal network of local architectural systems. The ancient settlement is located in Trans-Ural Steppe, southern part of Chelyabinsk region of Russia. Arkaim and Petrovka (settlements) are rare examples of Sintashta vernacular architecture which existed in the 2nd^ century BC and is known for extensive copper and bronze metallurgy as well as for astronomically verified settlements’ layouts. Some sources are dating it back to 8th- 9 th^ century BC (Khafizov, 2009). It was a birthplace of numerous cultures where Indo-Aryans, Turks and Ugors coexisted in their beginnings. Arkaim’s discovery is verily underappreciated in relation to other world renowned historical sites (Zdanovich, 2004). The area remains poorly studied and even the exact date of its origin is still unknown. In the traditional system of chronology sites date back to XVIII-XVI centuries BC, at the same time radiocarbon analysis indicates the XXI-XVIII centuries BC. Moreover, in the past it was in the risk of deterioration. In 1987 archaeological expedition of Chelyabinsk State University, Ural branch of Russian Academy of Science, discovered more than 70 archaeological sites in the 21 square kilometers area of oval shaped Bolchekaraganskaya Valley, framed by the Ural Mountains. Findings are from various eras: temporary towns from Middle and New Stone Ages – Mesolithic and Neolithic to mounds and ritual fencings of Kimak and Kipchak tribes. However even with the obvious historical value, the area was meant to be flooded and serve as a water reservoir if not the will and efforts of Gennady Zdanovich that proofed the significance of the area and it was declared cultural reservation in 1991. Figure 7. Illustrative details of the indigenous habitat (Developed by Author). The deeper research of more settlements and cemeteries that refer to the same culture occurred in the late 1980s after the decipherment of aerial images by Batanina and Levite that indicated mounds’ forms. Arkaim is an evidence in the architectural tangible form that shows the high development level of so-called “cities of the country", southern part of Chelyabinsk region of Russia that includes the settlement, numerous ancient mounds, necropolises and other archaeological finding. As seen on the case studies of all vernacular architecture examples presented in this research, this settlement unveils consciously planned space organization that bears idem centralized sacred relation to fire in a different scale.
Working area and general family gathering place occupied approximately one-third of the house. Architectural, domestic and hand- crafted findings are pointing on the fact that metallurgy was inhabitance’s primary occupation along with leather, pottery stone and bone tools production, weaving, breeding horses and agriculture. There was a well-fridge (pit, cellar), metallurgical furnace combined with a natural blower for the well and stoves in every house. An altar with skulls and other bones of domestic animals was placed at the bottom of each fireplace. House represented harmonized unity of earth, fire, air and water. Indoor comfort was achieved with both cold and hot spaces, potable and household water accessibility for everyday and ritual ceremonial needs. Dwelling accommodated spaces for sleeping, recreation, work and prayers. Each sector replicated the principles of the settlement structure, thus fireplace can be identified as the gathering space for a family or a community, in the scale of a single house or the settlement respectively. The whole city was concentrated around the central square, the heart of Sacred Arkaim. (Zdanovich, et.al, 2009). Arkaim settlement communicates the system of men and nature symbiosis in unified arrangement of various elements, forms and structures. One can state that vernacular architectural representatives of Sintashta culture point on very developed nations’ habitual and scientific level. Spatial arrangement of Sintashta nation is referring to the one of Chums and Tipis. Centralization of fire is noticed in Arkaim in the dual form. Being the early origin of Zoroastrism, the settlement combined fire worshiping with animism. This element appears to intersect distant detached or relative cultures’ vernacular dwelling spatial arrangements.
5. Japanese vernacular architecture and interior spatial arrangement. 5.1. Anthropological approach to the Japanese vernacular architectural differentiation. Due to Japanese land’ isolation, long standing attentiveness and care to national heritage, vernacular architecture was preserved and is treated with respect till today. Professor Jean Louis Armand de Quatrefages differentiated anthropologically juxtaposed races into four groups: (1) Almost entirely blended ‘Negrito type’, (2) ‘Yellow element’ with the well recognizable Chinese origin, (3) ‘White Ainu element’ and (4) ‘White Indonesian element’. He noted that “yellow and white elements occasionally occur juxtaposed and not intermixed in any striking manner.” (Mechnikov, 1881) Bearing the same approach in mind, development of Japan may be differentiated into two periods, Pre-Buddhist and later mainland-influenced. The earlier one includes Jomon (10000 BCE-300 CE), Yayoi (300 BCE- 300 CE) and partially Tomb Mound (300-710) periods. Flat-land buildings, heichi jukyo came from an earlier pre-ceramic period and can be of a circular or rectangular plan and be constructed using vertical and horizontal intertwined poles. Following Yayoi and Tomb Mound periods experienced Korean blending that influenced all spheres of life including architecture primarily with the expand of wet rice agriculture (Young M., Young D. T., 2012). Dwellings could be grounded, flat or raised on poles. Details such are the interior spatial arrangement of Pre-Buddhist architecture examples remain obscure, however, clearly identified forms and construction methods retained their influence by this time. 5.2. Ainu huts, Indigenous Japanese dwellings. Ainu people may be considered the aboriginal nation of Japanese archipelago. As recorded by the number of researchers and travelers (J. Batchelor, I. L. Bird, J. K. Goodrich) in the late 19th century, Ainu’s huts are of a flat land construction with very minimal furnishing and the central elongated hearth. Similarly as in the previously discussed chum interior organization, Ainu’s dwellings’ hearth-sacred relationship follows the same algorithm in terms of physical and intangible. This fact is very surprising, however one can easily notice on plans (image 12-13) how repetitive is the sequence of entrance, fire (hearth) and the sacred. Goodrich wrote: “A sacred window is left in the middle of the eastern wall, through which the sun-god is worshiped, and before this an inao is placed. …the northern of the fireplace is sacred to the family” (1888, p.499). So-called ‘Inao’, willow-shavings as the representations of gods occupy the essential part of the dwelling ( Batchelor, 1892 ). Thus, following the same analogy, sacred parts of the dwelling are centralized hearth (place of fire) and further inner space, east window with ‘inao’.
5.3. Cha-no-yu, spiritual meaning in spatial organization of Japanese tearooms. Cha-no-yu may be considered one of those traditional Japanese typologies that are prevalent in the modern life. Not always consciously taken into account, the background that stands behind habitual actions and planned spaces goes far back to Japanese spiritual origins. Among eight varieties of tearooms’ arrangements most common and original one is the ‘four-and-a-half’ mat where the middle ‘ro’ mat and a hearth are surrounded by four full tatami mats (Sadler, 2011). Figure 14. Four-and-a-half Tatami Tearoom arrangement (Developed by Author). Centralized hearth algorithm, transferred to the common dwellings’ plans found its place and meaning in the regular routine. “The Japanese hearth is also normally in the dirt-floor kitchen, but in the middle of it, or sometimes at the center of tatami room” (Sirvimaki, 2003, p.86). Black (2011) also presents how a typology of a tearoom with centralized hearth repeats in various building types, including so-called ‘thatched minka’ farmhouse or people’s house and in some samurai residences. Moreover, the central tea table, commonly seen in later (Edo period) occurred typology, the ‘machiya’ (city house), can be considered as an evolved adaptation of the hearth (Black, 2011). However, “Despite its centrality to Japanese cultural identity, Japanese Tea ritual or chanoyu has been treated superficially in the ethnographic literature” (Anderson, 1987, p. 475). Anderson studies The Way of Tea and the religious symbolism of its etiquette that unconsciously rebounds in daily tea ceremonies. He noted the strong presence of Shinto and Taoist believes in actions (1987). The final stage of the ceremony finds its place in the tea room of chashitsu (tea house). Figure 15. Tea Ceremony, from the series Etiquette for Ladies (女礼式ノ内 茶之湯ノ図) (Yôshû Chikanobu, 1888) And even the traditional house of modern times retains this important feature in its approximate form and meaning. Irori (sunken hearth) is named to be the focus of household life, place for communication and relaxation and to preserve hierarchal order of guests’ seating placement.
6. Conclusion. Recalling three principles of conservation, in the current context of vernacular heritage, introduced by Hosey, which include: ‘ reduce, reuse, recycle’ , the fourth step comes as first, ‘rethink’ (2012). Following my considerations, modern strategy of vernacular architectural heritage should be rethought to be further improved. This paper aimed to find the unifying algorithm through several distant or relative indigenous dwellings’ analysis. Detailed case study included Chums of Nenets from the
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