Behind the scenes: A perspective on the data deposited with EWAP

For the past two years I have had the pleasure of reviewing dozens of projects produced by the remarkable grantees of the Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme.  Each project takes me to a place that I have never been and introduces me to a people that I may not have known existed!  The photographs and videos delight me and the interviews teach me so much about other cultures and sometimes tug at my heartstrings in ways I never thought possible. 

Example of different types of data
submitted to the EWAP Archive.

We started in Asia, moved to New Zealand and then Africa – bringing such a diverse group of endangered architecture to our archive. There was a detailed study of six structures in the  Documentation of Himalayan wooden architecture in Tamang Heritage trail (Nepal).  In New Zealand, we see a magnificent depiction of a traditional whare being reconstructed in Te Whare Mīmiro – documenting the endangered post-tensioned Māori meeting house. 

Moving to Africa (without even leaving my desk) I saw and absorbed so much information about the Hamer tribesmen and women. I found it so interesting that they are all so involved in the design, building and rebuilding of their homes -  Conical Stick Houses of the Hamer Tribe, Ethiopia.  Our next project, in Brazil, took us to the Western Hemisphere for the first time, but brought us back east again to Japan to meet a master carpenter who understood the wood, tools and building techniques used in The Houses of Japanese Immigrants in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. I found myself becoming more and more fascinated as each new project completed.

I was amazed by the beauty of the houses in the Burmese Teak Farmhouse Documentation Project  and mesmerized by the building skills of the people and the beautiful colours of the Urhobo dwellings displayed in the Vernacular Architecture of Urhobo (Nigeria).  As a lover of trains, I long to visit the Ebute-Meta Railway Compound  also in Nigeria – especially the Jaekel House!  

Exterior view of STR-002,
Bakka Muhammad's houseboat

But of all of the EWAP projects that have completed so far, the Flat-bottom Indus Boats of Pakistan have, for me, been the most awe inspiring. This project, Afloat for Centuries: The Flat-bottomed Indus Boats was one of the first I was tasked to review.  Being the data nerd that I am, I began reviewing the EWAP projects intensely for accuracy, clarity and the necessary metadata formatting. Whilst reviewing the project, the first thing I noticed was how well put together this project was.  With 48 boats documented here, almost all of them include a video of the boat itself, drawings, detailed photographs and both audio and video interviews with the boats' owners.  

The craftsmanship of the boats, some now severely deteriorated yet still beautiful, is definitely something to be admired.  I couldn’t help but smile as I looked upon the stunning photography of the detailed carvings and the vibrantly coloured swings.  This project definitely slowed my pace as I simply had to study each one in detail.  But whilst reading the transcripts of the interviews and the subtitles of the videos, well, that is when things changed for me.  My smile faded and there were tears in my eyes.  It became clear to me how difficult life was for the fishermen and their families.  These amazing boats, so delightful to observe, were sometimes home to 14 people.  The poverty-stricken families, some of whom longed to live on land, in a house of their own, had little hope of ever being able to afford such a thing. 

Close-up view of storage space and three-arched
element with intricately carved floral patterns. STR-004

How wonderful that Anila Naeem and Farida Abdul Ghaffar were so passionate about sharing these incredible structures, albeit with somewhat heart-breaking stories.  For bringing attention to their plight yet showing the astounding skills of the craftsman that designed and built the aquatic dwellings.  I am thankful to have seen the beauty, admired the courage and perhaps come to appreciate how fortunate that I am just a little bit more.

Blog written by Sandra Wilkins, 

EWAP Data Administrator

References

Naeem, A and N.E.D University of Engineering and Technology (2023). Photos of the exterior view of STR-002, Bakka Muhammad's houseboat. | EWAP1011SG-STA-0112. Flat-bottomed Indus Boats (Pakistan) collection. Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme. https://doi.org/10.60491/ewap1011sg022024003 

Naeem, A and N.E.D University of Engineering and Technology (2023). Photos of the interior details of STR-004, Mahesar's houseboat. | EWAP1011SG-STA-0152. Flat-bottomed Indus Boats (Pakistan) collection. Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme. https://doi.org/10.60491/ewap1011sg022024005