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PALACE OF THE ATTAH IGALA: A Study of Architectural Identity and Symbolism Department of Environmental Studies Faculty of Environmental Sciences Nwamarah Uche Digitally Signed by: Contentt manager s Name DN : CN = Weabmaster s name O= University of Nigeria, Nsukka OU = Innovation Centre ii
TITLE PAGE PALACE OF THE ATTAH IGALA A Study of Architectural Identity and Symbolism CERTIFICATION iii
This thesis report: Palace of the AttahIgala (A Study of Architectural Symbolismand Identity) is an original research work carried out by Emusa Henry, a postgraduate student of the Department of Architecture, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus with Reg. No: PG/MSC/09/53713. It is submitted as part of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Architecture. Certified and Signed by: --------------------------------------------- EMUSA HENRY Date------------------------------ PG/MSC/09/53713 (AUTHOR) --------------------------------------------- ARC. C.O. ODUM Date------------------------------ Project Supervisor --------------------------------------------- ARC. F.C. OSEFOH Date------------------------------ Head of Department iv
DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the HOLY TRINITY. v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I reverence God Almighty for his boundless love. My unalloyed gratitude goes to my beloved Father Deacon Joel Emusa and loving Mother Deaconess PaulynEmusaand my entire family; for their love, continuous support and encouragement during the period of my studies. I am also particularly grateful to my supervisor Arc.C.O Odum for his relentless guidance through seeing to the implementation of this work consequently bringing out the best in me. A special thanks to all the lecturers and staff of the department of Architecture, University of Nigeriaespecially the head of the Department Arc. F. C. Osefoh. I say a big thank you to all who aided me with the logistics of this thesis: ObiefunaAmala,OnyeulorIjeoma Vivian,Emmanuel Edime, Ugwah Anthony, Odoh Peter, Anama Andrew,Utsu Martins-Joshua Leewho, Adejo Noel Usman, IkyeghTerkula and all the authors whose works aided in this research. I also appreciate mylovely friend Uchegbu Elizabethwho stood firm by me through thin and thick of my studies. Finally, I thank all my course mates and friends for their continuous and valuable support especially Michael Ikpekhia and OnyekweluNkechi who both passed on during this period. I miss you both.may your gentle souls rest in peace. There is so much to say thank you for, but when words can t express, the heart really understands, to you reading this, thank you! vi
ABSTRACT Humans have an intuitive inclination to symbolize. Symbolism and Identity is viewed in thispaper as the art of depicting and what to be depicted respectively. The research digs deepto buried meanings of symbols while paying attention to cultural identity and bringing focusto the heritage of Igala people. A study of symbolic buildings from different countries inthe world is however carried out so as to bring to light an architectural application of identity.the deep rooted cultural heritage of the Igala people of Kogi State of Nigeria is unravelled and aligned with various architectural theories such as; Afrocentric Architecture and Sacred Geometry in a poise to create an architectural symbol that represents the people. vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page - - - - - - - - - i Certification - - - - - - - - - ii Dedication - - - - - - - - - iii Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - iv Abstract - - - - - - - - - - v Tableof Contents - - - - - - - - vi List of Figures - - - - - - - - - x List of Plates - - - - - - - - - xiv List of Tables - - - - - - - - - xv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - 1 1.1Background of Study - - - - - - - 3 1.2Statement of Architectural Problem - - - - - 6 1.3Aim of Study - - - - - - - - 7 1.4Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - 7 1.5 Significance of the Project - - - - - - - 7 1.6Scope of the Project - - - - - - - - 7 1.7 Motivation of the Study - - - - - - -8 1.8Research Limitations - - - - - - -8 1.9Research Methodology - - - - - - -8 viii
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Literature Review - - - - - - - -10 2.1Symbolism in History - - - - - - -10 2.1.1 Types of Symbolism - - - - - - -12 2.1.2 Symbolism in Architecture - - - - - -21 2.2Historical Background of Identity - - - - -23 2.2.1 Aspects of Identity - - - - - - -24 2.2.2 Web of Identity - - - - - - - -25 2.2.3 Identity and Culture - - - - - - -27 2.2.4 Elements of Culture - - - - - - -28 2.2.5 Identity in Architecture - - - - - - - 30 2.3Evolution of Symbolism in Architecture - - - - -31 2.4Historical Background of the Igala People - - - -33 2.4.1 Origin of the Igala People - - - - - -36 2.4.2 A Brief History of the Igala Kingdom - - - - -37 2.4.3 The Different Traditions that Link the Igala Kingship to the Yoruba, Nupe, Benin and Jukun - - - - - - - -38 2.4.4 The Igala Culture - - - - - - - -63 2.4.5 The Igala Masquerade - - - - - - -64 2.4.6 The IgalaIndigenous Architecture - - - - -67 2.5 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - -69 2.5.1 Architecture as a symbol of Identity - - - - -69 2.5.2 Semiology - - - - - - - - -71 2.5.3 Afrocentric Architecture - - - - - - -73 2.5.4 Sacred Geometry - - - - - - - -79 ix
2.5.5 Iconography - - - - - - - - 86 CHAPTER 3: CASE STUDIES 3.0 Case Studies - - - - - - - - 90 3.1 Case 1: A Study of the Identity of France: The Eiffel Tower - - 90 3.2 Case 2: A Study of Symbolism in the Sydney Opera House, Australia - 98 3.3 Case 3: A Study of Symbolism in the Guggenheim Museum, New York - 117 3.4 Case 4: A Study of Symbolism and Identity in Lagos State House, Abuja- 127 3.5 Case 5: A Study of the Symbolism and Identity in the Palace of the AttahIgala, IdahKogi State - - - - - 131 CHAPTER 4: GENERAL PLANNING PRINCIPLES AND DESIGN GUIDELINES 4.0 General Planning Principlesand Design Guidelines - - -135 4.1 Planning Principles for Palace Design - - - - -135 4.1.1 Administrative Complex - - - - - - -135 4.1.2 Accommodation Facilities - - - - - - 136 4.1.3 Ancillary Facilities - - - - - - - 138 4.2 Considerations in Site Planning - - - - - -138 4.2.1 Land Use Considerations - - - - - - - 138 4.2.2 Site Design- - - - - - - - - 138 4.2.3 Parking - - - - - - - - - 140 4.2.4 Circulation - - - - - - - - 141 4.3 General Planning Principles for Administrative/Office Buildings in a Palace - - - - - - - - - 144 x
4.3.1 Energy Efficiency - - - - - - - -149 4.3.2 Building Attributes - - - - - - -150 4.3.3 Technical Connectivity - - - - - - -150 4.3.4 Lighting - - - - - - - - -150 4.3.5 Functional/Operational - - - - - - -151 4.3.6 Flexibility - - - - - - - - -151 4.3.7 Urban Planning - - - - - - - -152 4.3.8 Productivity - - - - - - - -153 4.4 Office Space Allocation - - - - - - -154 4.5 Office Design Guidelines - - - - - - -155 4.6 Design Considerations for Special Residential Buildings - - -156 4.6.1 Sustainability - - - - - - - -156 4.6.2 Individual Flats - - - - - - - -157 CHAPTER 5: SITE LOCATION AND ANALYSIS 5.0 Site Location and Analysis - - - - - -160 5.1 Location Analysis and Physical Features - - - - -160 5.1.1 Location of Idah Local Government Area - - - -161 5.1.2 Physical Considerations - - - - - - -164 5.1.3 Climatic Considerations - - - - - -166 5.2 The Project Site - - - - - - - -171 5.3 Site Analysis - - - - - -172 5.3.1 Land Use Analysis of the Immediate Surrounding of the Site - -172 5.3.2 Analysis of Traffic Pattern around the Site and Access Routes into Site-173 5.3.3 Analysis of Physical and Environmental Features - - -174 xi
5.3.4 Analysis of Site Drainage and Available Infrastructure - - -175 5.3.5 Analysis of Sources of Pollution - - - - - - 175 CHAPTER 6: THE DESIGN 6.0 The Design - - - - - - - - -176 6.1 Design Philosophy - - - - - - - -176 6.2 Design Concept and Concept Derivation - - - - -177 6.3 Igala Traditional Symbols - - - - - - -178 6.3.1 Inikpi - - - - - - - - - 178 6.3.2 Ekwe - - - - - - - - - 180 6.3.3 Ejub ejuailo - - - - - - - - 181 6.3.4 The Elephant (Adagba) - - - - - - - 182 6.3.5 The Leopard (Eje) - - - - - - - 183 6.4Evolved Design Concept - - - - - - - 184 6.5Application of Concept in Design - - - - - -189 6.6 Design Synthesis - - - - - - - - 189 6.7 Design Contribution - - - - - - - 190 Recommendations and Conclusion - - - - - -191 References - - - - - - - - - 192 LIST OF FIGURES Fig 2.1The Christian Cross - - - - - - -13 Fig 2.2 David s Star - - - - - - - -13 Fig 2.3Mathematical Symbols and their Meanings - - - -14 Fig 2.4The Canadian Flag - - - - - - -15 xii
Fig 2.5The American National Colours - - - - -16 Fig 2.6The Dragon - - - - - - - -17 Fig 2.7The Eiffel Tower - - - - - - -18 Fig 2.8Circle Symbolism in Pysanky - - - - - -19 Fig 2.9Swastika Symbolism in Pysanky - - - - -19 Fig 2.10Dots Symbolism - - - - - - -20 Fig 2.11Triangle Symbolism - - - - - - -20 Fig 2.12Straight Line Symbolism - - - - - -21 Fig 2.13Web of Identity - - - - - - -26 Fig 2.14An Asian House Form- - - - - - -32 Fig 2.15TheFive Main Lines of Cultural Evolution - - - -32 Fig 2.16Map of Nigeria showing Kogi State - - - - -35 Fig 2.17Map of KogiState showingigala Territory in Magenta - -35 Fig 2.18 Traditional IgalaHomested - - - - - -68 Fig 2.19TheoreticalDesign -Abstraction of African Game Board (Uganda) for High Rise Building in Context, by Kent State University Third Year Architecture Student, December 1992. - - -75 Fig 2.20Ba-lla Settlement - - - - - - -78 Fig 2.21Ba-lla Settlement Pattern with Seed Shape - - - -79 Fig 2.22Flower oflife - - - - - - - -80 Fig 2.23All Seeing Eye: Isis, Iris, Pupil, Rods and Cones, Masonic Symbolism Fig 2.24Gordian Knot - - - - - - - -81 Fig 2.25Metatron's Cube - - - - - - -82 Fig 2.26Alchemy of Consciousness in Time - - - - -82 Fig 2.27DogonNommo - - - - - - -83 xiii
Fig 2.28Sea Shell - - - - - - - -83 Fig 2.29Golden Spiral - - - - - - - -85 Fig 2.30Layout of Pyramids at Giza Plateau - - - - - 85 Fig 3.1Dimensions of Parking - - - - - - - 96 Fig 3.2Different Circulation Patterns as used in Different Facilities - - 98 Fig 3.3Meeting Room - 4 to 5 people, 11.15 m2 (120 ft2) - - -101 Fig 3.4Meeting Room - 6 to 7 people, 13.9 m2 (150 ft2) - - -102 Fig 3.5Workstation Space Type D - Open, 9.3 m2 (100 ft2) - - -102 Fig 3.6Work Station Type - - - - - - -103 Fig 4.1Isometric View of the Eiffel Tower Drawings - - - -119 Fig 4.2The Plan of the Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - -119 Fig 4.3Elevation of the Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - -120 Fig 4.4Details of the Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - -120 Fig 4.5A view of The Tower from The Seine - - - - -121 Fig 4.6A view of The Tower from The Seine - - - - -121 Fig 4.7Topographical Map of Sydney Harbour showing the site in red -128 Fig 4.8Site Plan - - - - - - - -135 Fig 4.9Ground Floor Plan - - - - - - -135 Fig 4.10 First Floor Plan - - - - - - -136 Fig 4.11 Elevations - - - - - - - -137 Fig 4.12 Elevations - - - - - - - -138 Fig 4.13 Sections - - - - - - - -139 Fig 4.14An early drawing of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - -143 Fig 4.15 Ground Floor Plan of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - -149 Fig 4.16 First Floor Plan of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - -150 xiv
Fig 4.17Elevation of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - - -150 Fig 4.18 Section of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - - -151 Fig 4.19A 3d Model of Lagos State House, Abuja - - - -154 Fig 4.20Lagos State House Abuja, replica of two Eyo Masquerades - -155 Fig 4.21Floor Plan of one of the Office Buildings of the Administrative Unit158 Fig 4.22Floor Plan of the Royal Council Office - - - -159 Fig 4.23Ground Floor Plan of one of the Guest Houses - - -159 Fig 5.1 Map of Nigeria showing the Location of Kogi State - - -161 Fig 5.2 Map of Kogi State showing the Local Government Areas. - -162 Fig 5.3Idah Local Government Area Provisional Map showing the site in a red box - - - - - - - - 163 Fig 5.4 A Map showing Idah and the Neighbouring Towns - - -164 Fig 5.5 Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperature - -167 Fig 5.6 Mean Monthly Values of Daily Rainfall (mm)- - - -170 Fig 5.7 A Map showing the Site. - - - - - -172 Fig 5.8 Immediate Surrounding of the Site - - - - -173 Fig 5.9 Traffic Pattern and Access Route Analysis - - - -174 Fig 5.10 Sun Path, Wind Direction - - - - - - - 175 Fig: 6.1TheEjub ejuailo - - - - - - - 181 Fig: 6.2 A Royal Crown - - - - - - -185 Fig: 6.3 The Igala Mask Ejub ejuailo (face of fear) - - - - 185 Fig; 6.4The Combination of the Royal Crown and Igala Mask - - 186 Fig: 6.5The Façadeabstraction in the Design of the Palace of AttahIgala - 186 Fig 6.6 The Ground Floor plan abstraction in the Design of the Palace of AttahIgala - - - - - - - - 187 xv
Fig 6.7 The Model abstraction in the Design of the Palace of AttahIgala - 188 LIST OF PLATES Plate 2.1A Typical Igala Masquerade - - - - - - 64 Plate 2.2 Photo of the Traditional IgalaAtakpa - - - - 68 Plate 2.3Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles - - - - 88 Plate 2.4Swiss Re headquarters, London - - - - - 89 Plate 4.1The Eiffel Tower, Paris - - - - - 116 Plate 4.2The Tower in Perspective - - - - - - 118 Plate 4.3A View of The Tower from the Street- - - - 122 Plate 4.4 The Sydney Opera House, Australia - - - - - 123 Plate 4.5Mayan Temple - - - - - - - 125 Plate 4.6The Recently Refurbished Utzon Room, 2004 - - - 131 Plate 4.7The Glass Walls - - - - - - - 134 Plate 4.8 Perspective at Night - - - - - - - 140 Plate 4.9 Perspective at Daytime - - - - - - 140 Plate 4.10 Interior Perspective of one of the Concert Halls - - - 141 Plate 4.11: The Solomon Guggenheim Museum, New York - - - 142 Plate 4.12: An early drawing of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - 143 Plate 4.13The Spiral Ramp - - - - - - - 145 Plate 4.14The Dome showing the six spokes - - - - 147 Plate 4.15: Site plan of the Guggenheim Museum, New York - - 149 Plate 4.16 Interior Perspective of Restaurant - - - - - 151 Plate 4.17Lagos State House, Abuja - - - - - - 152 Plate 4.18Eyo Masquerades Display - - - - - - 153 xvi
Plate 4.19Two Eyo Masquerades at a Ceremony - - - - 155 Plate 4.20Photo of the Approach View of Attah s Palace - - - 156 Plate 4.21 Photo of the Side View of Attah s Residence - - - 165 Plate 4.22:Photo of the approach view of one of the guest houses - - 157 Plate 4.23:Photo of part of the administrative building - - - 157 Plate 4.24:Photo of the old Attah s court - - - - - 158 Plate 6.1 Photo of Inikpi - - - - - - - 178 Plate 6.2 Photo of Ekwe - - - - - - - 180 Plate 6.3 Photo of an Elephant - - - - - - 182 Plate 6.4 Logo of Igala Kingdom - - - - - - 182 Plate 6.5 Photo of the Entrance ofattah s Palace - - - - 183 Plate 6.6 Photo of a Leopard - - - - - - - 183 Plate 6.7 Photo of the AttahIgala - - - - - - 184 LIST OF TABLES Table 5.1Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperature - -167 Table 5.2Monthly Mean Relative Humidity - - - - -168 Table 5.3Mean Monthly Values of the Daily Rainfall - - - -170 xvii