The houses in Najran are made of a special clay that is particular to this area, mixed with straw to provide the strong structural adobe walls that enable them to withstand the harsh climate. Ceilings are made of the spines of palm fronds, stripped of the foliage and covered in clay, laid atop wooden beams. This technique creates a cooling environment in the hot summer days and provides warmth in the winter.
The buildings are made up of several stories. The lowest level is given over to livestock and can be without windows. The next level is for human habitation, and have small windows to keep out intruders. As you go up the building, the windows get larger to let in more light and air. Often these houses are clustered together around a central courtyard, so that members of the same family can live together These traditional buildings are still seen in many towns and villages, with some buildings well maintained (or restored) while others are deteriorating
Fortunately, there seems to be considerable interest by some Najran residents to preserve their traditional homes - often modernising them for current life styles. |
