Architecture of Mali
In the current day, the vast majority of the population, three quarters, live rural areas, outside of cities, leading individuals to subside off of farming.
Outside of local culture, Mali has a deeply rooted history of colonialism, resulting in French influence.
French architecture can be found all throughout Mali, notably seen in the existence-of multiple large towers of the current day Great Mosque of Djenné.
Typically, mosques consist of a prayer space and a mausoleum, merging multiple stages of life into a singular place of worship.
Many Malian mosques feature anthropomorphic characteristics that will interpret human bodily movements, typically mimicking praying figures and gestures.
[5][6] The mosque is noted as the most important part of Malian and Islamic architecture, as it is crucial to understanding both current and historical norms.
[4] During the 13th or 14th century, an unnamed sultan directed the towns efforts to take down a royal to be replaced with a mosque.
[6] Many of the buildings in Mali in pre-colonial times were influenced by the Islamic world and figures like Mansa Musa, with great architects helping to form the architectural style of the area.
[5] Each year, the walls of the Great Mosque are rebuilt in a celebration called Crépisagge (roughly translating from French to a plastering).
[12] It was a very hard process to build the orphanage based on location and climate conditions, however the project was backed by the mayor of Fresnes, which is a city south of Paris, so it did help considerably with the amount of funds.
[13] The masajids (mosques) of Sankore, Djinguereber, and Sidi Yahya were the centres of learning in medieval Mali and produced some of the most famous works in Africa, the Timbuktu Manuscripts.
The “body acts as an organizational template for a building's interior layout.”[2] Ultimately, these architectural forms are derived from an individual level but align with the cosmos, revealing an intricate spiritual system.
[3] This style comprises mudbrick, known as ferey in the region, and adobe plaster in conjunction with wooden support beams, materials derived from Mali's natural surroundings.
This is best seen in the city of Djenné, where most of the buildings are built using these earthen bricks, which are sun-baked and then covered with mud from nearby rivers.
The mudbrick walls take on most of the weight of the building, leading to smaller windows and doors and dim interiors.
Structures are frequently modeled after natural occurrences including wind, water and organic growth, like tree trunks.
[18] However, France's choice to build and renovate landmarks in the style of the surrounding community led to a number of monuments of colonial time still present today.
