The Making Of An Insaka--Days 1 and 2

After the poles are set, the frame for the insaka is formed. Because the beams were made of hard wood, Tracy loaned them a drill to make nail holes. Thatching is laid with trimmed ends down, beginning at the top of the roof. Once laid out the bundles of thatch are spread evenly across the beams. With strong twine that he carries on his belt, Mr. Sibanda ties the thatching onto the horizontal planks.

I had always thought the trimmed edge of an insaka was made by cutting it. Instead the edge is formed by tapping the grass up into the rest of the thatch with a wooden block, called a comb, which Mr. Sibanda holds in the third picture.

Now all that's left is the cap! More about that tomorrow!