The following pictures capture the present outlook of Iwesi. Essentially, the settlement is very much a reflection (or miniature) of the social structure, builtscape and general opportunities of Ijebu-Ode – the large town of which it was formerly a satellite, and which has now virtually over-run it. While buildings depicting the original rustic lifestyle still exist (and are inhabited), quite wealthy "sons-of-the-soil" have come back to make a statement, as expressed by the opulent mansions to be found there, today. By and large, the bulk of the builtform still expresses the popular folk building culture of the people (i.e. the vernacular). This is typified by bungalows, with living spaces deployed to the left and right of an extra-large passage. Even where the original masonry-work was cob, the trend is to plaster-render, to concede to general progress. All recent (and ongoing) projects are either in earth bricks (as adobe or fired), or sandcrete blocks.
Photographs
With its corrugated metal hipped roof, cement-plastered earth walls, painted over, and internal layout predicated on a corridor, this building is typical of the folk building culture in Iwesi.
A gable-roofed building in cement-mortar-bonded earth bricks. Notice the repair-work done in sand-cement blocks to a section of the external wall that gave way. The earthenware pots are to collect rain-water for washing and bathing.
The same building as above, to show wall repairs on the other side, and belated consolidation of the base of the house with stones. (In traditional building here, foundations are optional, and would most likely, also have been of earth – implying a susceptibility to storm-water erosion). This house has dispensed with a fascia-board.
A close-up of a bathing enclosure (servicing the house above), in corrugated metal sheets. In the olden days, this would have been of palm fronds.
This view into the interior of the house clearly shows the central, through disposition of the corridor, in a typical vernacular house. Living spaces are displaced to the left and right of this passage.
This view shows timber shutter-windows as fenestration. The right-hand side window has been burglar-proofed (a modern expedient!), using iron reinforcement in a decorative manner. Notice the half-hearted attempt at cement-plastering – also, the little girl washing up, using rain-water collected in an earthenware pot.
Close-up of a wall section, graphically depicting Iwesi builtform in historical progression: to the left, cob construction typifies the earliest building tradition; in the middle, repair-work was effected in earth bricks, sand-cement- earth-bonded; to the right, is the latest repair job, featuring sand-cement blocks. The plank fascia is a contemporary inovation.
This close-up shows not only the juxtaposing of the oldest and most modern materials, but also the common "subterfuge" of plastering over cob construction. Notice the shutter-window to the right. Its size (500 x 450 mm, approx.) is typical of the practice in olden days.
A recent building. Still under construction, it has all the hallmarks – aspect, composition and materials – of a cosmopolitan Nigerian vernacular prototype. The corridor still runs all the way through with, however, more innovative apportioning of flanking living spaces.
This house clearly concedes to travel exposure and improved financial status. The covered patio (sit-out) in front is an obvious later addition. Notice the planters strategically-located to catch rain-water run-off, and the deliberate soft landscaping.
A typical "village church". Iwesi boasts of several, each supported by a particular denominational mission.
This house typifies the use of modern materials and techniques; even the floor layout is a departure from the norm: the typical central corridor has metamorphosed into a full-blown room, into which others feed. Notice the glass louvers and asbestos-cement roofing sheets.
This compound presents the top of the range in expensive, African cosmopolitan houses that are now visible on the landscape in Iwesi (and Ijebu-Ode). The coloured quarry stone used as facing on the perimeter fence, is unusual.
A close-up of the previous building. Still under construction, aluminium-frame windows are being installed, under the supervision of the Site Architect (centre). The building is completely tiled on the outside.
Private tenement housing. The compound contains two buildings with lettable "room-and-parlour" arrangements.
A drastic departure from the norm in bungalow design, vis-à-vis the plan layout.
This house belongs to a prominent Muslim leader in the community. Despite the evidence of exposure and opulence displayed by the façade, the internal spatial configuration is essentially typical.
Obviously not a typical "village hospital", this private health facility was endowed by the late Dr. Rosanwo, an indigene of Iwesi. Unfortunately, since his demise, it has fallen on bad times, with much of it annexed for use as an Area Office of the Ijebu North-East Local Government Authority. The rest is used for other purposes, while the village now shares a government Health Centre with two other villages.
On the outskirts of the settlement, this is the residence of the community head – the baale. Though relatively unpretentious, it is nevertheless, significant for the radical departure of its floor-plan from the double-loaded corridor, and innovative use of contemporary materials like aluminium-frame sliding windows and asbestos-cement roofing sheets.
Cordelia O. Osasona
© May 2007
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