Why African huts were round and not rectangular

The circular shape provided some primitive form of ventilation

Ever wondered why traditional African huts were round and not any other shape, say, oblong?

At the height of the State of Emergency, the colonial government not only created ‘Emergency Villages’ in Central Kenya, but ensured the mud round huts were smoothened with white clay, with the whitewashed look serving as a nostalgic reminder of rural villages in Northern England.