On either side of the border between Togo and the Republic of Benin, remarkable, castlelike residences dot the savannah landscape. Composed of organic materials, these sikien have been built by the Batammariba people since the seventeenth century.
Part of Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, a series produced by The Met in collaboration with World Monuments Fund and directed by Sosena Solomon, this documentary centers on the remarkable Batammariba houses or sikien of Koutammakou.
In this intimate documentary, the owners of these domestic dwellings reflect on the lifespan of the takienta, in which decay and ruin are cyclical, requiring rebirth and rebuilding. That practice of renewal has become endangered as younger generations are leaving the area, requiring conservation efforts with local artisans who aim to preserve the vibrant architectural legacy of these houses.
Part of a broader initiative to reframe The Met’s Arts of Africa galleries, Africa’s Cultural Landmarks emphasize local stewardship and contemporary efforts to preserve Africa’s irreplaceable cultural heritage.
About Koutammakou
On the border between modern day Benin and Togo, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Koutammakou has been inhabited by the Batammariba people since their arrival in the 17th or 18th century. Having relocated to escape the threat of subordination to other groups, the Batammariba brought with them a sense of independence and strong cultural identity, anchored in their building traditions. Those traditions are expressed in the takienta (plural sikien), the Batammariba house, which consists of a cluster of earthen structures that provide the setting for all aspects of life, including shelter, visual expression, community belonging, and religious practice. The earthen material is an essential component of these constructions, providing not only protection, but also a medium to grow food and a point of contact between current and preceding generations. The Batammariba view sikien as having lifespans, and thus decay and ruin are inherent parts of this building tradition, as is the rebirth associated with the building of new compounds. Whenever a takienta becomes unfit for habitation, Batammariba tradition requires that its old earthen core be incorporated into the new dwelling.
Africa’s Cultural Landmarks is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with World Monuments Fund.
