Ndebele architecture and settlement patterns

Glossary of Ndebele building terms

APOKORWAN - Eaves overhang

AMAKAPA - Roof

AMAKAPA IBALELO - Timber roof rafter

AMAOBA - Enclosed room located in the verandah

AMATHURI - Verandah

IBADI - Door

IBALELO - Used to signify a roof timber spanning from post to post, or from roof beam to roof beam, and could mean either a batten, or a ring beam

IBODA - The drum wall of a cone on cylinder dwelling

• IFESDIRI - A window. The term has probably been derived from the Dutch venster, also meaning a window opening
• IKHUPHU - The clay plaster on a wall
• IMBHEJUNI - Decorative mouldings or sculptures on a wall
• INDLU - Can be used to mean a home, or just an indoor residential space, or room
• INGODO - Timber posts supporting the outside perimeter of a verandah
• INTUTHI - The tie-beam or tie-piece at the indoor apex of a roof. This is usually used to hold in place a central post supporting the roof apex during construction. After thatching has been completed, this is removed, leaving the tie-piece behind
• ISANGO - Can be used to denote either the doorway, or the threshold to the doorway
• ISIDLOGORWANA - The capping at the roof apex
• ISITUPE- External perimeter seat surrounding the external perimeter of a dwelling
• ITHURI - The low wall enclosing a verandah room
• IZIKO - The hearth
• NGENDLINI - The raised floor inside the dwelling
• UBULONGO - The clay and cow dung finish to a floor
• UMSAMO - An internal seat located at the rear of a dwelling, on axis with the doorway and the hearth

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