Cadjan Explained

Cadjan are woven mats made from coconut palm leaves, used for roofing and walls.^[1] Cadjan houses were available in many Asian countries in past, but with development these houses are now limited to very rural areas in India, Sri Lanka and a few other Asian countries.

Dwellings constructed from cadjan has been shown to be worse at preventing mosquitos, and thus increasing the risk of malaria, when compared to more expensive building materials.^{[2] [3]}

The material is used in the construction of kilns for drying copra. Used instead of brickwork or sheet metal because it allows a more even flow of air, when compared to using ventilation holes.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Book: Ellis . Royston . Maldives . 2008 . Bradt Travel Guides . 978-1-84162-266-8 . 87 . 20 November 2024 . en.
2. Chow . Cy . Thevasagayam . Es . Bionomics and control of Culex pipiens fatigans Wied. in Ceylon. . Bulletin of the World Health Organization . 1957 . 16 . 3 . 609–32 . 13472415 . 2538306 .
3. Atieli . Harrysone . Menya . Diana . Githeko . Andrew . Scott . Thomas . House design modifications reduce indoor resting malaria vector densities in rice irrigation scheme area in western Kenya . Malaria Journal . December 2009 . 8 . 1 . 108 . 10.1186/1475-2875-8-108. free . 19454025 . 2688520 .
4. Book: Grimwood . Brian E. . Coconut Palm Products: Their Processing in Developing Countries . 1975 . Food & Agriculture Org. . 978-92-5-100853-9 . 69 . 20 November 2024.