The mosque abandoned to thousands of swallows

In the city of Djenné, the Great Mosque stands as the largest adobe brick building in the world. Located on the flood plain of the Bani River, the structure is a prominent example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture. It serves as a central landmark for the community and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

The history of the site dates back to the 13th century, though the exact construction dates are unknown. Records from the mid-seventeenth century describe a Sultan who had his palace pulled down to create a mosque. Over the centuries, various rulers rebuilt the structures, including a Songhay ruler in the 15th century and a Fulbe Massina ruler in 1830. By 1828, the mosque had fallen into such disrepair that it was abandoned to thousands of swallows, creating a disagreeable smell that led to the custom of praying in an outer court.

In 1906, the town arranged for the mosque to be rebuilt, with the work completed in 1907. The reconstruction was carried out by the guild of masons under the direction of Ismaila Traoré. While some observers, such as Michel Leiris, argued the design was the work of Europeans, others like Jean-Louis Bourgeois argued that the design was basically African. During the construction, some local people reportedly refused to clean the new building unless threatened with prison.

The mosque remains a significant monument of earthen architecture. It is part of the "Old Towns of Djenné" heritage site and represents a unique tradition of masonry and communal maintenance in the Sahel region.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons