Exterior post supporting the roof joist of an atakpame structure

A thick wood post with a Y-shaped end has been raised at the centre point of the side wall of a coursed earth atakpame structure being built on the grounds of the Banda Cultural Centre. It supports the central horizontal roof joist, the end of which can be seen projecting beyond the Y slot. Angled roof poles rest on top of the central roof joist, laid perpendicular to it. At right angles to the roof poles are smaller raffia stick slats that will support a pitched thatch roof. The courses of modeled earth that comprise the side wall and roof truss are apparent in the varied colour and join lines visible in the earthen side wall. Banda-Ahenkro, Banda District, Ghana.