An Investigation into Architectural Creolization of West African Vernacular Mosques

Abstract

In investigating the influence of religious thoughts on architecture, much attention has been given to divine world-wide religions by the researchers, while indigenous religions have to a great extent been neglected. Ancient tribes in different parts of the world, have, on the basis of their cosmology, shaped beliefs which reflect on their architecture, especially on their sacred buildings. Regarding the Dogons-a well-known and a dominant tribe in West Africa- their Gods, cosmology and beliefs have led to the formation of settlements comprising houses, temples and other types of buildings in accordance with their religious thoughts while also being in harmony with nature. Up on the expansion of Islam throughout Africa, especially West Africa, vernacular mosques are shaped gradually beside shrines making a typology of Islamic architecture which has traces of both Dogon and Islamic architecture within it; While the influence of natural materials and indigenous building techniques should not be neglected. Taking a descriptive-deductive analysis approach, this paper will search for the architectural creolization process and will eventually conclude that West African vernacular mosques inherit their formal and spatial features mostly from Dogon house and pioneer mosques in Medina and their physical features, elements and exterior decorations from Dogon temples.