What materials were used to build Hausa houses in Kano and Zaria?

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African architecture The Great Zimbabwe complex, near Masvingo, south-central Zimbabwe.

In the Hausa states of Kano and Zaria, traditional dwellings have evolved from cylindrical huts to square-plan structures. These houses are primarily constructed using tabali, which are pear-shaped mud bricks.1

In addition to these mud bricks, the construction of larger structures, such as the palaces of the emirs, often incorporates palm ribs to span interior spaces. While the primary building material is mud, these homes are frequently noted for their elaborate ornamentation, featuring calligraphic or representational designs molded into the facades.12