The Beehive homes of the Toposa people of Southern Sudan

 
   
   
 
 
 




The Toposa are one of the biggest tribal groups living in the south eastern border area of South Sudan. They live in well organised villages, with different houses for dry and rainy season and granaries where they keep their food and valuables.

   
       

This (above) is a typical home called a tukel. The external structure is a temporary scaffolding for the thatcher. The framework of the home is built from many strands of small branches bound together with twine. The same structure is raised on stilts (below) as a granary which also provides shade for animals and a work space.

The Toposa culture is orally transmitted through songs, dance, music, poems and folklore. The homes are built by the woman while the men tend the cattle herds. You can get an insight from this video of the Toposa People from the French photographer Francoise Spiekermeier.