Chadian Homes
Traditionally, on top of the wall is a cone-shaped roof made of straw. The straw roof looks like a broom at the top, but gets widened out by straw rings that get gradually bigger and bigger until the largest ring at the bottom. The roof of the straw is woven into the rings, at about 3 inches thickness. The tip of the home may have an ostrich egg on it, an "X" or other symbol depending on the people and clan who live there. The roof is wider than the wall to keep it from being eroded too much from the strong rains that happen from time to time. The young man building the house will work with several of his friends to weave the roof, as a sort of social gathering or party. A straw roof must be replaced every seven years or so.
In some places (especially the Guéra region south of the main "highway", instead of clay brick walls, the people live in homes with walls made of straw. This is usually the case for homes made in a hurry and possibly only for temporary use, such as homes next to the fields where people sow and harvest their crops. Mud brick houses indicate permanency, are more sturdy and protect people better from wild animals.
Most government buildings, village dispensaries and schools are built in a rectangular shape, but usually with mud bricks as well. If the group represented by the building can afford it, they prefer to use aluminium corrugated roofing rather than straw.
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