This is an example of a central Meron farmer's home. Like most central and southern houses, it's built around a central courtyard, which contains the family well (round) and a small plot of vegetables. The courtyard is surrounded by house on three sides and a high stone wall on the fourth, making it totally private. All light in the house comes from this courtyard; the doors are made of skins and are usually drawn to the side. The floors are packed dirt, usually kept clear of weeds by the younger children. A sign of an well-kept house is a lack of plant life creeping through the doorways.Half the house is reserved for work - the main 'living' portion, where food is cooked and where the family spends much of its time. A pot of stew is often kept in perpetuity on the fire, which is kindled in a corner fireplace (making better use of space).
In the right corner of the house are long benches, where visitors are often recieved and where meals are often eaten. The family sits on the ground and eats their food off the benches, which are in most houses kept scrubbed.
The final area of the house is where the family sleeps, usually on blankets spread out on the floor. Bedding is cleared during the day and stacked against the wall. Younger children sleep at the end with the parents, while older children are towards the benches and, if the family is large, sometimes under them.
While the house pictured is of the poorer variety, most peasant houses, particularly in the country but also in villages and towns, have this format. The first thing a family adds when given the opportunity is another room off the back of the house, where parents and younger children sleep; the second is a stone floor.
Thanks to the newly married Hary and Galia Debele for use of their house. Best of luck in your lives, and may you have many beautiful children!
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