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Historical Roots of Yemeni Architecture

Yemeni architecture is one of the greatest arts which reflects

the civilization of Yemeni history through thousands of

years. Yemen was one of the oldest countries and

civilizations in the Arab homeland and the World. This art

became one of the historical landmarks which flourished in

Yemen at that time. Yemeni architecture is regarded as a

powerful attraction for tourists and one of our cultural and

historical resources.

Yemeni architectural art is the real record which epresses

civilization of the Yemeni human! and his economic and

political development. "o! this art embodies the true

meaning of Yemeni civilization. #uring the period which

preceded the fifth century $.%! there appeared many

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Yemeni states including &o'een! "heba! (hataban! Aosan!

Hadhramout and Hemiar. The rulers of those states founded

trading centers and)or road trading stations and levied

traffic taes on merchants in return for protection and

services to them. Hadhramout valley! which empties into the

Arab "ea is one of the important valleys where the old cities

of "hibam! "ae'oun and Tarim were founded. *ther

important valleys include &aifah! #aw'an in Hadramout!

and Toban valley in +ahi, governorate! which empties into

the Arabian "ea at Aden.

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"tudies point out that most old Yemeni cities were founded

in valleys. &areb! $arakish and Tomn'a are good eamples.

+ater! other cities gradually appeared on tops of &ountains.

Amongst those cities are "ana'a! Almafer! Rada'a! Raboah!

Amran and "addah. *ther cities which were located in

valleys! such as Al-&okha! $eit Al-akeh and /abeed

flourished at that time! while some of the Yemeni cities!

including "adda! "hibam and Hadramout! had distinct

0slamic characteristics.

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1ndoubtedly! those civilizations left us a marvelous

architectural heritage! which inspires us still! even in our

present architecture. 0n spite of the epansion and

development that we are witnessing in Yemeni cities like

"ana'a! Hadramout! "hibam and others! these cities are still

preserving their original architecture and historical

features. &odern architects are still inspired by the

historical styles of architecture.

Ancient Yemeni architects used the construction materials

which were available at the place where they worked. 0f a

building was to be erected on a muddy or rocky area! those

materials were used in that construction. 0f it was on

volcanic area! the volcanic stones were the main building

material! and so on.

Yemeni 0slamic architecture was distinguished by its

simplicity and fleibility of planning! design and decoration.

All those features helped in providing assurance! calmness

and social relations between families. The 0slamic buildings

bore certain characteristics providing an atmosphere of

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society and variety that helped &oslems to gather and

discuss their religious affairs. #espite the wave of modernity

in all fields! those characteristics still have their appeal to

people! and if sufficient care is rendered to them! they can

still meet our modern needs

0nfluencing Yemeni Architecture2

Yemen is featured by three characteristics3 hills! geological

factors and climate. Topographically! its land reaches as

high as 4567 meters at the summit of 8abi "hoa'eb! while its

climate is cool and dry.

9-:lateau and desert-like plains etend along mountain

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heights. They gradually descend towards the ;mpty (uarter

which averages 9777 meters above sea level. "ince early time

Yemenis seriously considered how to cope with these

circumstances. They built dams at valley ,unctions and

terraces for agriculture! and they provided themselves with

factors for settlement there. This enabled them to establish

great civilizations whose landmarks are still standing.

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Thus! there appeared distinguished architectural designs to

withstand such natural phenomenon.

Architectural designs are associated with religion! especially

in Yemen. The &oslem family wants its residence to provide

utmost privacy and protection. Therefore! houses are

divided into two sections. *ne specialized for receiving

guests and the other for the household living. This rule also

applies to the building of mos>ues where there are parts

allotted for women and others for men.

The thing which distinguishes Yemeni architectural art from

that in other countries of the world! is that it is based to meet

the re>uirements of the individual family. That is why the

visitor wonders about the different designs of buildings even

in the same residential area.

The history of Yemeni architecture epresses the originality

of Yemeni people. Architecture was also a historical feature

which embodies the traditions of Yemen.

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I arrived from Al Mukallah by 4WD through Wadi Dawa! ad

after a day of drivig ad marvellig at the beauty of the regio!

I maaged to arrive i "hibam at aroud 4# $u%t i time for a &u'

of tea ad a afteroo %troll i thi% fairy tale tow# Walkig

through the alley%! it be&ame &lear how high the buildig% are#

"hibam i% largely a &ar(free tow be&au%e it% alley% are %im'ly

too arrow to allow for traffi&! ad it add% to the medieval

a''eal of &lay hou%e%! it% )uiete%% ad 'ea&efule%%! ad it%

du%ty %treet% %mellig of aimal dug#

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+efore %u%et! I wa% %ure to &limb the hill at the edge of the

wadi to have a better view over the tow ad wa% ot

di%a''oited# It wa% truly marvellou% to %ee the high ri%e

buildig% a% a ot to be mi%%ed mark i the wadi! with the

%ulight 'layig hide ad %eek o the %ide ad to' of the village#

,rom a di%ta&e! it &ertaily %eem% that "hibam i% oe big hou%e!

i%tead of a &olle&tio of %ome 5-- ide'edet hou%e%! ad

that.% maily be&au%e they are built %o &lo%e together#

I &ould ot re%i%t &omig ba&k to "hibam oe early morig! ad

walked all aroud the tow# /iew% from the ba&k were truly

%'e&ta&ular! ad the ab%olute %ile&e oly iterru'ted by the

barkig of a large &la of dog%# 0he %ky&ra'er% defiatly 'oit

ito the air whi&h they have bee doig %i&e %ome 5-- year%!

although mo%t buildig% have bee rebuilt i the 1th &etury#

"hibam.% origi% lie i the %'i&e trade! but it% rare beauty have

redefied the role of the tow a% the %ummum of what &lay

&o%tru&tio &ould brig#

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/i%ited May 2--4

&ore pictures2

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