Built in the Dyula style, "Le Grande Mosquée de Bobo-Dioulasso” in Sya, the historic centre of the city, is perhaps the most impressive example of precolonial Sudano-Sahelian architecture in the country.
Other than being built in the 19th century, It’s date of construction is not known. Some sources claim it was built between 1812 and 1832, while other sources cite dates varying from the 1850’s to the 1890’s, and has since been enlarged to accommodate up to 800 worshippers.
“The mosque is constructed of mud brick and is whitewashed. The construction makes use of projecting wooden beams (toron) and horizontally-oriented beams (yiri) to structural and aesthetic effect. The plan of the mosque takes the form of a rectangle with the longer sides on the north and south facades. Dominating the east facade is a large tower marking the mihrab and qibla. A second tower rises from the north facade and serves the purpose of a minaret. The exterior walls [...] feature large projecting buttresses spaced evenly along the facade.” -Archnet
According to one tradition, the mosque was built in the late 19th century as a political deal between the King of Sya and an Islamic religious leader, Almamy Sidiki Sanou, for his aide in Sya’s defense against the hostile expansion of the neighbouring Kénédougou kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment