Africa Village is a term used to describe a traditional African settlement, typically consisting of a kraal (a circular enclosure of dwellings), a stad (a small village or hamlet) and an obie (a communal granary). The kraal is usually the center of the village, with the stad and obie located nearby. The kraal is often surrounded by a fence made of thorny branches to protect the inhabitants from predators. The stad is typically home to the village's chief and his family, while the obie is used to store grain and other food items.