Mafulu - Settlements

Communities are composed of several villages (from two to eight). Villages are usually identified with particular clans and maintain closer ties to villages of the same clan within the community. The number of houses in each village varies considerably from six or eight to thirty. Traditionally villages, situated along the crests of ridges, were surrounded by stockades for defense. Houses were built in two parallel rows with an open mall between the rows. The emone or "men's house" sat between the two rows of houses at one end. Special dancing villages, which brought together people from other Villages in the community, were built for large feasts held about every ten to twelve years.