Tomb of Askia
| Tomb of Askia* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| |
| State Party |  Mali
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iii, iv |
| Reference | 1139 |
| Region** | Africa |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2004 (28th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
The Tomb of Askia, in Gao, Mali, is believed to be the burial place of Askia Mohammad I, first Emperor of Songhai. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built at the end of the fifteenth century.
UNESCO describes Askia as a fine example of the monumental mud-building traditions of the West African Sahel. The complex includes the pyramidal tomb, two mosques, a cemetery, and an assembly ground. At 17 metres in height it is the largest pre-colonial architectural monument in the region. It is the first example of an Islamic architectural style that later spread throughout the region.
Relatively recent modifications to the site have included the expansion of the mosque buildings in the 1960s and mid-1970s, and the 1999 construction of a wall around the site. It has also been regularly replastered throughout its history, a process essential to the maintenance and repair of mud structures. Electricity was added in the early 2000s, allowing for ceiling fans, lights, and a loudspeaker mounted on top. On the east side is a winding external stair leading to the summit.
Askia is in regular use as a mosque and a publicly owned cultural center for the city of Gao. The site and a buffer area around it are protected by both national and local laws.
History
Askia Mohammed was the first Askia emperor and greatly expanded the Songhaii Empire, which flourished in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries through its control of trans-Saharan trade. As a revert Muslim, he felt obligated to make his pilgrimage to Mecca, which he returned from in 1495. He brought back with him the materials to make his tomb; all of the mud and wood come from Mecca. The caravan is said to have consisted of "thousands of camels." It was structured as a house, with several rooms and passageways and was sealed when Mohammed died. Askia Mohommed is the only one buried inside the tomb itself, but several other Askias are buried in the courtyard.
External links
- World Heritage Website
- UNESCO Evaluation of Askia (in English and French)
Coordinates:
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