Our dream home!

The construction of our own traditional Simbu village dwelling is about to commence.

We had an unexpected visitor today, Uncle Joel. Apart from dropping in some garden food for us we also took the opportunity to discuss various aspects of the building of a haus kunai including design, required tools, workers and gifts in kind. The idea of having our own dwelling back in the village is something that I have had in the back of my mind for some months and one that now looks like is going to become a reality.

It has been my dream that when Mum comes to visit in September she gets to stay in a traditional village dwelling – my own dream home! Also, when we visit the village from time to time, on weekends or holidays, we will have our own place to stay in. The building of the “hut” will be designed and constructed by a team of Eli’s relatives including her artist cousin Jopa and of course Uncle Joel.

In our meeting with Uncle Joel this afternoon I sketched out a basic design and layout of the dwelling. It’s worth noting that the dwelling will be made up entirely from bush materials except for the nails, which have now been purchased for the “construction team”. The roof will be thatched and of course the design excludes any sort of a bathroom or laundry. Washing in the village is always done down by the river, an icy cold crystal clear mountain stream I might add.

The shape and layout of the hut is interesting and one that Eli and I are both very happy with. The basic structure will be a round house as is traditional in the Simbu Province but to make it a little more “flashy” we have added our own unique modifications! In each of the four directions, that is north south east and west, an additional structure will be annexed to the main house, two bedrooms with raised floors, a flash entrance and of course a kitchen. The round house will essentially be used as a meeting and eating area with a fireplace in the middle of the space to keep occupants warm on those cold Simbu nights.

The location chosen to build our home is right next to a walking track that takes one into the village but actually sits higher than the road itself giving us something precious in a village environment, a little privacy. I have been told that the river runs very close and is therefore handy for fetching water for cooking and obviously for washing.

Simplicity, kindness and gratitude all merged into one!

The unfolding of a new chapter and…

Oops!

We forgot… the “thunderbox” !!!
Uncle Joel… Uncle Joel… Uncle Joel… !!!!