Rural Hausa family compounds, some walled with traditional seccos fences, Chadawanka village, Niger

"In traditional Hausa society the layouts of fields, houses, granaries and towns are governed by an ancient cosmology which regulates numerous facets of daily life. This ritual for structuring space exists side by side with later symbolism inherited from the Arabs and Islam. Both Hausa men and women are profoundly shaped by their agricultural subsistence economy." [Moughtin J.c., 1985: Hausa Architecture. Ethnographica Limited]. "Dry stems or canes are used for fencing and for house walls and ceilings. The stems are weaved to form mat-like wall panels called seccos." [Mester de Parajd C. and L., 1988: Regards sur l'Habitat Traditionnel au Niger. Editions Créer]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.