General Videos
This is a previously undiscovered African house, from east Kenya,. It is almost on the edge of extinction, with the tradition being preserved by one remarkable young woman, Ramadan. The tiny home, a beautiful example of organic architecture, is constructed by around twenty women builders over three days, usually just before a marriage. The house is unusually high, with a raised up bed, and this is to protect the occupants from the occasional flooding of the river Tana. All the natural materials are gathered from within a few kilometers of the village. Essentially it is a bentwood frame lashed together into a gridshell. The whole structure is strong as it is a natural parabolic dome. The area is undergoing rapid change as modern materials and electricity are being brought in, so we were very fortunate to be able to record this building before it disappears completely.
COMPETITION: We tried to count how many knots were actually used in making the building. We have a small competition. The person who is closest to our answer, within three months of the video uploading will receive one of the very last copies of my book, free of charge. Leave a comment with your number, and how you estimated it (even if it is just a random guess). As long as we can then contact you to get your address we will send you a book all about nomadic architecture. There are only about 20 left unsold and this will never again be printed.
FUNDRAISER: This high building has evolved out of a very lightweight and mobile architecture that the same tribe use in the semi-desert regions to the north. We need to raise $5,000 to return to make a full record of this building type. We are open to sponsorships, or would even take a guest with us if you will cover the costs, fancy a trip of a lifetime working on a really important research project?
You can support us via Patreon or make a donation direct through Paypal, or contact us directly if you want to discuss another way to support us - (email address is on our channel page).
https://www.patreon.com/Nomad_Architecture
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https://nomads.org/Books.html
MUSIC: I write all the music for our more recent videos. If you like it let me know, I know it is not perfect, but I enjoy it!
Unreported World investigates how one influential preacher in Kenya could have led hundreds of men, women and children to their deaths. Symeon Brown tracks down the survivors and the families searching for loved ones to find out if this was mass suicide, or mass murder.
So far 429 bodies have been exhumed from graves in Shakahola forest where Pastor Paul Mackenzie’s followers are believed to have starved to death. The leader of the so-called death cult is said to have promised his followers protection from the 'coming apocalypse'. Mackenzie denies any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile another church, Rainbow Ministries, is facing a crackdown for cult-like behaviour. But where is the line between faith and extremism?
Producer/Director: Tom Besley
Series Producer: Andy Lee
Executive Producer: Ed Fraser
Production Company: Channel 4 News
Subscribe to our channel for more Unreported World episodes https://www.youtube.com/unreportedworld.