Rural Hausa family compounds walled with traditional seccos fences, Barhin village, Bauchi province, Nigeria

"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 Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.