Chol Hamoed Feature #2: Living In A Sukkah All Year Round

By Idy Perl

On Sukkos we go out of our comfortable, heated homes and into flimsy huts outside. Stepping outdoors makes us vulnerable to the weather and animals, but we do this to show Hashem we trust His embrace will protect us from the elements. 

Although most people live in comfortable, modern homes, there are parts of the world whose inhabitants still live in small huts made of mud and grass. 

In some parts of Africa, such as Nigeria, Uganda, and South Sudan, residents live in round huts called rondavel, which means “cone on a cylinder,” and is an apt description of what it looks like. These huts are usually made of stones and held together with sand, soil, and animal manure. The roof is made up of sticks and poles often tied together with grass. 

These homes are traditionally round for several reasons, such as it being the most efficient design when using natural materials, and allows strong winds to go around the hut without causing damage. 

photos: Shutterstock