West African Exhibit (Igbo Compound, circa mid-1700s)



The Museum's planned West African Exhibit will be an example of the compound of an Igbo farmer in the mid-1700s. A compound of this period was often comprised of several houses enclosed by a living fence of closely planted trees or a wall of compacted earth.

Houses were generally rectangular to square in shape, with walls of either solid earth or wattle and daub, and with roofs of palm or grass thatch. Historically, the Igbo were yam farmers, and the compound of every successful Igbo included a yam barn where the harvested root crop was stored.

The Museum is working closely with scholars and officials in the United States and Nigeria for this project. Construction of the exhibit is slated to begin in summer 2008. Nigerian builders will come to the Museum to assist staff and volunteers in building the exhibit using traditional Igbo tools and building techniques. Check the Museum website beginning in spring 2008 for more information on these events, and on opportunities to participate in this project.