Digitally Signed by : Content manager’s OF THE ATTAH IGALA A Study of Architectural Identity and...
Transcript of Digitally Signed by : Content manager’s OF THE ATTAH IGALA A Study of Architectural Identity and...
i
Nwamarah Uche
ii
Nwamarah Uche
Digitally Signed by: Content manager’s
DN : CN = Weabmaster’s name
O= University of Nigeria, Nsukka
OU = Innovation Centre
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
Department of Environmental Studies
PALACE OF THE ATTAH IGALAA Study of Architectural Identity and Symbolism
: Content manager’s Name
Weabmaster’s name
a, Nsukka
Environmental Sciences
Studies
PALACE OF THE ATTAH IGALA: A Study of Architectural Identity and Symbolism
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TITLE PAGE
PALACE OF THE ATTAH IGALA
A Study of Architectural Identity and Symbolism
CERTIFICATION
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This thesis report: Palace of the AttahIgala (A Study of Architectural Symbolismand
Identity) is an original research work carried out by Emusa Henry, a postgraduate
student of the Department of Architecture, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
with Reg. No: PG/MSC/09/53713. It is submitted as part of the requirements for the
award of the Degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Architecture.
Certified and Signed by:
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EMUSA HENRY Date------------------------------
PG/MSC/09/53713
(AUTHOR)
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ARC. C.O. ODUM Date------------------------------
Project Supervisor
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ARC. F.C. OSEFOH Date------------------------------
Head of Department
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DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to the HOLY TRINITY.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I reverence God Almighty for his boundless love.
My unalloyed gratitude goes to my beloved Father Deacon Joel Emusa and loving
Mother Deaconess PaulynEmusaand my entire family; for their love, continuous
support and encouragement during the period of my studies.
I am also particularly grateful to my supervisor Arc.C.O Odum for his relentless
guidance through seeing to the implementation of this work consequently bringing out
the best in me.
A special thanks to all the lecturers and staff of the department of Architecture,
University of Nigeriaespecially the head of the Department Arc. F. C. Osefoh.
I say a big thank you to all who aided me with the logistics of this thesis:
ObiefunaAmala,OnyeulorIjeoma Vivian,Emmanuel Edime, Ugwah Anthony, Odoh
Peter, Anama Andrew,Utsu Martins-Joshua Leewho, Adejo Noel Usman,
IkyeghTerkula and all the authors whose works aided in this research.
I also appreciate mylovely friend Uchegbu Elizabethwho stood firm by me through thin
and thick of my studies.
Finally, I thank all my course mates and friends for their continuous and valuable
support especially Michael Ikpekhia and OnyekweluNkechi who both passed on during
this period. I miss you both.May your gentle souls rest in peace.
There is so much to say thank you for, but when words can’t express, the heart really
understands, to you reading this, thank you!
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ABSTRACT
Humans have an intuitive inclination to symbolize. Symbolism and Identity is viewed
in thispaper as the ‘art of depicting’ and ‘what to be depicted’ respectively. The
research digs deepto buried meanings of symbols while paying attention to cultural
identity and bringing focusto the heritage of Igala people. A study of symbolic
buildings from different countries inthe world is however carried out so as to bring to
light an architectural application of identity.The deep rooted cultural heritage of the
Igala people of Kogi State of Nigeria is unravelled and aligned with various
architectural theories such as; Afrocentric Architecture and Sacred Geometry in a poise
to create an architectural symbol that represents the people.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - i
Certification - - - - - - - - - ii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - iii
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - iv
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - v
Tableof Contents - - - - - - - - vi
List of Figures - - - - - - - - - x
List of Plates - - - - - - - - - xiv
List of Tables - - - - - - - - - xv
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - 1
1.1Background of Study - - - - - - - 3
1.2Statement of Architectural Problem - - - - - 6
1.3Aim of Study - - - - - - - - 7
1.4Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - 7
1.5 Significance of the Project - - - - - - - 7
1.6Scope of the Project - - - - - - - - 7
1.7 Motivation of the Study - - - - - - -8
1.8Research Limitations - - - - - - -8
1.9Research Methodology - - - - - - -8
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Literature Review - - - - - - - -10
2.1Symbolism in History - - - - - - -10
2.1.1 Types of Symbolism - - - - - - -12
2.1.2 Symbolism in Architecture - - - - - -21
2.2Historical Background of Identity - - - - -23
2.2.1 Aspects of Identity - - - - - - -24
2.2.2 Web of Identity - - - - - - - -25
2.2.3 Identity and Culture - - - - - - -27
2.2.4 Elements of Culture - - - - - - -28
2.2.5 Identity in Architecture - - - - - - - 30
2.3Evolution of Symbolism in Architecture - - - - -31
2.4Historical Background of the Igala People - - - -33
2.4.1 Origin of the Igala People - - - - - -36
2.4.2 A Brief History of the Igala Kingdom - - - - -37
2.4.3 The Different Traditions that Link the Igala Kingship to the Yoruba, Nupe,
Benin and Jukun - - - - - - - -38
2.4.4 The Igala Culture - - - - - - - -63
2.4.5 The Igala Masquerade - - - - - - -64
2.4.6 The IgalaIndigenous Architecture - - - - -67
2.5 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - -69
2.5.1 Architecture as a symbol of Identity - - - - -69
2.5.2 Semiology - - - - - - - - -71
2.5.3 Afrocentric Architecture - - - - - - -73
2.5.4 Sacred Geometry - - - - - - - -79
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2.5.5 Iconography - - - - - - - - 86
CHAPTER 3: CASE STUDIES
3.0 Case Studies - - - - - - - - 90
3.1 Case 1: A Study of the Identity of France: The Eiffel Tower - - 90
3.2 Case 2: A Study of Symbolism in the Sydney Opera House, Australia - 98
3.3 Case 3: A Study of Symbolism in the Guggenheim Museum, New York - 117
3.4 Case 4: A Study of Symbolism and Identity in Lagos State House, Abuja- 127
3.5 Case 5: A Study of the Symbolism and Identity in the Palace of the
AttahIgala, IdahKogi State - - - - - 131
CHAPTER 4: GENERAL PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND DESIGN
GUIDELINES
4.0 General Planning Principlesand Design Guidelines - - -135
4.1 Planning Principles for Palace Design - - - - -135
4.1.1 Administrative Complex - - - - - - -135
4.1.2 Accommodation Facilities - - - - - - 136
4.1.3 Ancillary Facilities - - - - - - - 138
4.2 Considerations in Site Planning - - - - - -138
4.2.1 Land Use Considerations - - - - - - - 138
4.2.2 Site Design- - - - - - - - - 138
4.2.3 Parking - - - - - - - - - 140
4.2.4 Circulation - - - - - - - - 141
4.3 General Planning Principles for Administrative/Office Buildings
in a Palace - - - - - - - - - 144
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4.3.1 Energy Efficiency - - - - - - - -149
4.3.2 Building Attributes - - - - - - -150
4.3.3 Technical Connectivity - - - - - - -150
4.3.4 Lighting - - - - - - - - -150
4.3.5 Functional/Operational - - - - - - -151
4.3.6 Flexibility - - - - - - - - -151
4.3.7 Urban Planning - - - - - - - -152
4.3.8 Productivity - - - - - - - -153
4.4 Office Space Allocation - - - - - - -154
4.5 Office Design Guidelines - - - - - - -155
4.6 Design Considerations for Special Residential Buildings - - -156
4.6.1 Sustainability - - - - - - - -156
4.6.2 Individual Flats - - - - - - - -157
CHAPTER 5: SITE LOCATION AND ANALYSIS
5.0 Site Location and Analysis - - - - - -160
5.1 Location Analysis and Physical Features - - - - -160
5.1.1 Location of Idah Local Government Area - - - -161
5.1.2 Physical Considerations - - - - - - -164
5.1.3 Climatic Considerations - - - - - -166
5.2 The Project Site - - - - - - - -171
5.3 Site Analysis - - - - - -172
5.3.1 Land Use Analysis of the Immediate Surrounding of the Site - -172
5.3.2 Analysis of Traffic Pattern around the Site and Access Routes into Site-173
5.3.3 Analysis of Physical and Environmental Features - - -174
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5.3.4 Analysis of Site Drainage and Available Infrastructure - - -175
5.3.5 Analysis of Sources of Pollution - - - - - - 175
CHAPTER 6: THE DESIGN
6.0 The Design - - - - - - - - -176
6.1 Design Philosophy - - - - - - - -176
6.2 Design Concept and Concept Derivation - - - - -177
6.3 Igala Traditional Symbols - - - - - - -178
6.3.1 Inikpi - - - - - - - - - 178
6.3.2 Ekwe - - - - - - - - - 180
6.3.3 Ejub’ejuailo - - - - - - - - 181
6.3.4 The Elephant (Adagba) - - - - - - - 182
6.3.5 The Leopard (Eje) - - - - - - - 183
6.4Evolved Design Concept - - - - - - - 184
6.5Application of Concept in Design - - - - - -189
6.6 Design Synthesis - - - - - - - - 189
6.7 Design Contribution - - - - - - - 190
Recommendations and Conclusion - - - - - -191
References - - - - - - - - - 192
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 2.1The Christian Cross - - - - - - -13
Fig 2.2 David’s Star - - - - - - - -13
Fig 2.3Mathematical Symbols and their Meanings - - - -14
Fig 2.4The Canadian Flag - - - - - - -15
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Fig 2.5The American National Colours - - - - -16
Fig 2.6The Dragon - - - - - - - -17
Fig 2.7The Eiffel Tower - - - - - - -18
Fig 2.8Circle Symbolism in Pysanky - - - - - -19
Fig 2.9Swastika Symbolism in Pysanky - - - - -19
Fig 2.10Dots Symbolism - - - - - - -20
Fig 2.11Triangle Symbolism - - - - - - -20
Fig 2.12Straight Line Symbolism - - - - - -21
Fig 2.13Web of Identity - - - - - - -26
Fig 2.14An Asian House Form- - - - - - -32
Fig 2.15TheFive Main Lines of Cultural Evolution - - - -32
Fig 2.16Map of Nigeria showing Kogi State - - - - -35
Fig 2.17Map of KogiState showingIgala Territory in Magenta - -35
Fig 2.18 Traditional IgalaHomested - - - - - -68
Fig 2.19TheoreticalDesign -Abstraction of African Game Board (Uganda)
for High Rise Building in Context, by Kent State University
Third Year Architecture Student, December 1992. - - -75
Fig 2.20Ba-lla Settlement - - - - - - -78
Fig 2.21Ba-lla Settlement Pattern with Seed Shape - - - -79
Fig 2.22Flower ofLife - - - - - - - -80
Fig 2.23All Seeing Eye: Isis, Iris, Pupil, Rods and Cones, Masonic Symbolism
Fig 2.24Gordian Knot - - - - - - - -81
Fig 2.25Metatron's Cube - - - - - - -82
Fig 2.26Alchemy of Consciousness in Time - - - - -82
Fig 2.27DogonNommo - - - - - - -83
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Fig 2.28Sea Shell - - - - - - - -83
Fig 2.29Golden Spiral - - - - - - - -85
Fig 2.30Layout of Pyramids at Giza Plateau - - - - - 85
Fig 3.1Dimensions of Parking - - - - - - - 96
Fig 3.2Different Circulation Patterns as used in Different Facilities - - 98
Fig 3.3Meeting Room - 4 to 5 people, 11.15 m2 (120 ft2) - - -101
Fig 3.4Meeting Room - 6 to 7 people, 13.9 m2 (150 ft2) - - -102
Fig 3.5Workstation Space Type D - Open, 9.3 m2 (100 ft2) - - -102
Fig 3.6Work Station Type - - - - - - -103
Fig 4.1Isometric View of the Eiffel Tower Drawings - - - -119
Fig 4.2The Plan of the Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - -119
Fig 4.3Elevation of the Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - -120
Fig 4.4Details of the Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - -120
Fig 4.5A view of The Tower from The Seine - - - - -121
Fig 4.6A view of The Tower from The Seine - - - - -121
Fig 4.7Topographical Map of Sydney Harbour showing the site in red -128
Fig 4.8Site Plan - - - - - - - -135
Fig 4.9Ground Floor Plan - - - - - - -135
Fig 4.10 First Floor Plan - - - - - - -136
Fig 4.11 Elevations - - - - - - - -137
Fig 4.12 Elevations - - - - - - - -138
Fig 4.13 Sections - - - - - - - -139
Fig 4.14An early drawing of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - -143
Fig 4.15 Ground Floor Plan of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - -149
Fig 4.16 First Floor Plan of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - -150
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Fig 4.17Elevation of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - - -150
Fig 4.18 Section of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - - -151
Fig 4.19A 3d Model of Lagos State House, Abuja - - - -154
Fig 4.20Lagos State House Abuja, replica of two Eyo Masquerades - -155
Fig 4.21Floor Plan of one of the Office Buildings of the Administrative Unit158
Fig 4.22Floor Plan of the Royal Council Office - - - -159
Fig 4.23Ground Floor Plan of one of the Guest Houses - - -159
Fig 5.1 Map of Nigeria showing the Location of Kogi State - - -161
Fig 5.2 Map of Kogi State showing the Local Government Areas. - -162
Fig 5.3Idah Local Government Area Provisional Map showing the site
in a red box - - - - - - - - 163
Fig 5.4 A Map showing Idah and the Neighbouring Towns - - -164
Fig 5.5 Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperature - -167
Fig 5.6 Mean Monthly Values of Daily Rainfall (mm) - - - -170
Fig 5.7 A Map showing the Site. - - - - - -172
Fig 5.8 Immediate Surrounding of the Site - - - - -173
Fig 5.9 Traffic Pattern and Access Route Analysis - - - -174
Fig 5.10 Sun Path, Wind Direction - - - - - - - 175
Fig: 6.1TheEjub’ejuailo - - - - - - - 181
Fig: 6.2 A Royal Crown - - - - - - -185
Fig: 6.3 The Igala Mask Ejub’ejuailo (face of fear) - - - - 185
Fig; 6.4The Combination of the Royal Crown and Igala Mask - - 186
Fig: 6.5The Façadeabstraction in the Design of the Palace of AttahIgala - 186
Fig 6.6 The Ground Floor plan abstraction in the Design of the Palace of
AttahIgala - - - - - - - - 187
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Fig 6.7 The Model abstraction in the Design of the Palace of AttahIgala - 188
LIST OF PLATES
Plate 2.1A Typical Igala Masquerade - - - - - - 64
Plate 2.2 Photo of the Traditional IgalaAtakpa - - - - 68
Plate 2.3Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles - - - - 88
Plate 2.4Swiss Re headquarters, London - - - - - 89
Plate 4.1The Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - - 116
Plate 4.2The Tower in Perspective - - - - - - 118
Plate 4.3A View of The Tower from the Street- - - - 122
Plate 4.4 The Sydney Opera House, Australia - - - - - 123
Plate 4.5Mayan Temple - - - - - - - 125
Plate 4.6The Recently Refurbished Utzon Room, 2004 - - - 131
Plate 4.7The Glass Walls - - - - - - - 134
Plate 4.8 Perspective at Night - - - - - - - 140
Plate 4.9 Perspective at Daytime - - - - - - 140
Plate 4.10 Interior Perspective of one of the Concert Halls - - - 141
Plate 4.11: The Solomon Guggenheim Museum, New York - - - 142
Plate 4.12: An early drawing of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - 143
Plate 4.13The Spiral Ramp - - - - - - - 145
Plate 4.14The Dome showing the six “spokes”- - - - 147
Plate 4.15: Site plan of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - - 149
Plate 4.16 Interior Perspective of Restaurant - - - - - 151
Plate 4.17Lagos State House, Abuja - - - - - - 152
Plate 4.18Eyo Masquerades Display - - - - - - 153
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Plate 4.19Two Eyo Masquerades at a Ceremony - - - - 155
Plate 4.20Photo of the Approach View of Attah’s Palace - - - 156
Plate 4.21 Photo of the Side View of Attah’s Residence - - - 165
Plate 4.22:Photo of the approach view of one of the guest houses - - 157
Plate 4.23:Photo of part of the administrative building - - - 157
Plate 4.24:Photo of the old Attah’s court - - - - - 158
Plate 6.1 Photo of Inikpi - - - - - - - 178
Plate 6.2 Photo of Ekwe - - - - - - - 180
Plate 6.3 Photo of an Elephant - - - - - - 182
Plate 6.4 Logo of Igala Kingdom - - - - - - 182
Plate 6.5 Photo of the Entrance ofAttah’s Palace - - - - 183
Plate 6.6 Photo of a Leopard - - - - - - - 183
Plate 6.7 Photo of the AttahIgala - - - - - - 184
LIST OF TABLES
Table 5.1Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperature - -167
Table 5.2Monthly Mean Relative Humidity - - - - -168
Table 5.3Mean Monthly Values of the Daily Rainfall - - - -170