ADAPTATIONS

The huts and stables of the Dassanech in south-west Ethiopia are ingeniously designed, and the buildings within a settlement can differ greatly from one another. Most of them are wooden structures clad with corrugated iron and other industrial materials to protect the interior from sandstorms. Traditional construction methods using purely plant-based materials are also used, as not everyone can afford corrugated iron. The Dassanech also build dwellings from plants and branches to provide shelter for short stays away from the villages while travelling with herds of cattle.