H’Mong people’s earthen wall houses
Thursday, 24/01/2013 16:59 (GMT+7)
Earthen wall houses of the H’Mong people adapted to the cold and harsh climate high in the mountains, the H’mong people live in houses with earthen walls and baked tile or thatch roofs, which helps keep the space warm in winter and cool in summer.
From the abundant materials of wood and soil, the H’Mong, Dao and Ha Nhi people in the northern mountains build earthen wall houses.
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The house of Vang A De, on a hill, is set up on a spot the whole village
worked to level out |
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The days of setting up a house are very joyful. The women take care of
the children while helping the master of the house set up the structure |
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The main work of women is the wall - work which does not take much
strengthbut requires endurance and ingenuity. Forms for walls are made
of wood, about 50-70cm in width, which will be the thickness of the wall.
The soil is poured into the mould and tightly packed by hand, working
gradually around the house. Then the form is raised to the next level,
each level requiring about one hour to pack |
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The harder work is shouldered by men, such as sawing wood.
The wood was taken from the forest 30km from the village |
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This man is making a joint to support the roof |
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The Northwest has many cobblestones. This large rock was shaped
and lifted to make the floor smooth |
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While the walls are wet and weak, they will be supported by
the pillarsand stone like this; after they are dry the stones
and pillars will be removed |
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While their parents are working, the children play nearby |
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This man is using a hoe to carefully make the walls smooth and nice |
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After shaping with a hoe, the walls will then be brushed by hand
for a smooth finish |
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A typical earthen home of H’Mong people with
a stone fence around the house |