Overview
The Great Mosque of Djenn in Mali is the largest mud-built structure in the world and a key example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, central to the religious and cultural life of the region.
Historical Background
- Djenn was founded between 800 and 1250 C.E. and became a center of commerce, learning, and Islam by the 13th century.
- The original mosque was likely built in the 13th century by King Koi Konboro, Djenn’s first Muslim ruler.
- The mosque has been reconstructed three times: original in the 13th century, second in 1834–36, and current in 1907.
Architecture and Design
- The mosque uses local materials like adobe (mud brick), clay, sand, rice husks, and water.
- Its plan is rectilinear, partly enclosed by an exterior wall, and supported by monumental pillars.
- The facade features three minarets, engaged columns, and conical extensions topped with ostrich eggs symbolizing fertility and purity.
- Timber beams protrude from the structure, serving both decorative and practical purposes as scaffolding for annual repairs.
Cultural Significance and Community Involvement
- The mosque is the site of the annual Crépissage festival, where the community replasters the mosque using butter and fine clay.
- Men mix the plaster, women bring water, musicians play, and elders and children also participate, reflecting community unity.
- Attempts to alter festival traditions or rebuild the mosque with modern materials have been resisted by the community.
Conservation and Environmental Challenges
- The mosque and region are threatened by environmental factors like flooding, urban development, and insufficient waste management.
- UNESCO designated Djenn and its mosque as a World Heritage Site in 1988.
- Restoration and conservation efforts are hampered by limited resources, especially after civil conflict in northern Mali.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Sudano-Sahelian architecture — A style marked by adobe/mud-brick construction, prominent in West Africa.
- Minaret — A tower part of a mosque from which the call to prayer is given.
- Crépissage — The annual replastering festival for the mosque in Djenn.
- Ostrich egg — Placed atop the mosque’s pillars symbolizing fertility and purity.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review images and maps of the mosque’s architecture.
- Explore UNESCO's site and the recommended virtual tour for further understanding.
- Research the annual Crépissage festival and its role in cultural preservation.