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Conservation
The tower houses of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, are an ancient wonder that have survived for over 2500 years. Continually built and demolished every two centuries, they serve as the signposts of the country, known for architectural heritage since the times of the Kingdom of Queen Sheba. These tower houses are often described as ‘Ancient Manhattan’ as they were built eight to nine storeys, each housing a family, its pets, cattle and storage space, all layers upon layers with animals below, humans in middle and the top floors being set apart for entertainment, leisure and prayers. The Yemenis used stones, earthen brick, lime, gypsum and goss (traditional plastering material) to raise these edifices and painted the facades in attractive colours and geometrical patterns. As they pierced out into the azure sky from hill towns of Sanaa, Atyaf, Shibam, Al-Hodeida and At-Tawilah, the towns appeared as perfect fairyland structures. The authorities have launched schemes to preserve these towerhouses that dot the towns of Yemen.
Maqbool Ahmed Siraj talked to Eng. Nabil A. Monasser, Coordinator of the General Organisation for Preservation of Historical Cities of Yemen (GOPHCY) on the sidelines of the International Congress on Handicrafts and Tourism in Riyadh last month. Excerpts:
On Antiquity of Tower Houses
These tower houses are historic residential buildings that were built primarily as a defence system in a society in the throes of constant tribal and familial warfare. Old Sanaa has almost 8,000 of them, each being 100 to 200 years old. Shibam in Hadharmauth area has 250 such buildings. Others like Sadah, At-Tawilah, Al-Hodeidah and Atyaf have them in dozens. They were basically constructed out of mud blocks, wood, straw, gypsum and goss. They ranged from 10 metres to 25 metres in height with four to nine storeys. Most of them were in hill towns whose history goes back to almost 2500 years since the time of Queen of Sheba. But they were built and rebuilt after every one or two centuries.
Current State of the Edifices
The 1962 revolution in Yemen altered the security situation of people in Yemen. With planned development, they began to shift out of their traditional habitations. Towns and cities began to expand and nature of businesses and residence was transformed. For instance, these buildings were clustered around souqs (bazaars) and gardens known as ‘Boostans’. But the souqs no longer sell fabrics, spices and rugs alone. Shops of cars, pumps, tractors and agricultural implements need display and demonstration areas. So most merchants chose to opt out of the Old Sanaa. So also in other traditional cities of Yemen, some businesses such as florists, perfumers, eateries did not find the atmosphere very conducive for their delectable merchandise. They too moved out. Similarly, the streets were only meant for mule carts. Cars brought in pollution. Piped water and powerlines too began to pose a threat. For instance, piped water without sewerage raised dampness in the ground thereby undermining the foundations. Building collapses became commonplace since early 1980s. This set off alarm bells.
About Preservation Initiative
As Yemen opened out itself to the outer world, they for the first time became aware of the rich value of their ancient heritage. Collapse of five buildings in the span of a month in 1983 impressed the need for urgent efforts. GOPHCY was started in 1986 to preserve it. The idea was to make them living cities with people residing therein and carrying out their daily chores. The Unesco put them on the World Heritage List. The Italian and German Governments also chipped in the conservation efforts. The Italians set up the Centre for Architectural Training and Studies (CATS) while GTZ, the German Technical Fund provided some finances. Sewerage was laid away from foundations of the buildings. Solid and liquid wastes were separated. Water used for ablution in mosques was channeled for ‘boostans’.
Public buildings such as caravanserais, mosques, gates of the old city walls were rebuilt and remnants of the wall too were reinforced. Now two-thirds of the buildings in Shibam have been restored. Owners of the buildings themselves paid 75 per cent of the cost for restoration. In Sanaa, souq merchants partly funded the effort.
There is a growing realisation that preservation of these tower houses is essentially a step in direction of preserving traditional artisanship and crafts of this ancient civilization. For instance, the old brick factory in the outskirts of Sanaa has reopened after some years of closure. Similarly, the old carpenters too get gainful employment in restoration efforts. People are still moving out of the old towns urged by the new lifestyles. But they do perceive the tourism potential of the heritage towns dotting Yemen.
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