mbari houses of the owerri-igbo are large opened-sided square planned shelters. they house many life-sized, painted figures (sculpted in mud to appease the alusi (deity) and ala, the earth goddess, with other deities of thunder and water). other sculptures are of officials, craftsmen, foreigners (mainly europeans), animals, legendary creatures and ancestors. mbari houses take years to build in what is regarded as a sacred process. when new ones are constructed, old ones are left to decay. everyday houses were made of mud and thatched roofs with bare earth floors with carved design doors. some houses had elaborate designs both in the interior and exterior. these designs could include uli art designed by igbo women.