Traditional dwellings and techniques of the First Indigenous Peoples of South Africa in the Eastern Cape

Vernacular indigenous dwellings of the Khoikhoi Peoples (First Indigenous Peoples of South Africa) present in the Baviaans Kloof area in the Eastern Cape (South Africa) have been surveyed and are currently under study by the authors with the direct involvement of the community members. This research is of particular relevance because: it is conducted in a geographical area that is currently under-researched in respect to this particular theme; the dwellings are an exceptionally rare example of the use of Khoikhoi traditional techniques and materials; it was achieved with the direct engagement of the Indigenous community. The research collaboration applies a transdisciplinary approach and method - already in place with the NRF-CEP research by Dr Minguzzi - that employs a multi-layered methodology: practice-led research, community engagement/ community cultural development, influenced by narrative inquiry. In the age of globalization, it becomes necessary to study the origin and development of those buildings to understand their constructive process, the use of specific local materials as well as the consequences that the introduction of unsustainable colonial materials caused. This is an aspect that could be relevant for future reflection on how to preserve and promote the Indigenous cultural, social inclusion and sustainable built environment. The paper will define the state of the art and morphological, functional and technical analysis of contemporary Khoikhoi dwellings to identify the tangible and intangible cultural heritage and the influences of colonization on it.