Architecture in pre-colonial Africa is arguably one of the greatest human inventions and thousands of civilizations have been developed from every corner of the continent. The miseducation of civilizations in Africa, from ancient to modern eras, often came from descriptions of Western settlers who ignorantly shared stories to their constituents about the outward beauty of indigenius kingdoms during their travels. African architecture during precolonial times include the construction of pyramids by not only those who inhabited the areas of modern day Egypt, but also including the pyramidal structures found in Sudan (Nubia), Ethiopia and those whose structures have been torn down or hidden throughout colonial rule. Here's a digital display of intentional architecture found throughout Africa which tells the story of indigenous society, spirituality and homesteads. 

The Fasil Ghebbi is an emperor's castle in Gondar, Ethiopia founded in the 17th century. This castle also housed the Ethiopian government until 1864.  The compound houses over 10 castles as well as majestic common spaces amongst the Emperor's cabinet which managed to withstand earthquakes and bombings against British settlers. 

According to the story, Emperor Fasil settled in Gondar and established the area as a capital which encouraged emperors who followed his succession to continue constructing the compound until its decline in the late 18th century. Emperors in Ethiopia, similar to the Pharaohs in Ancient Egpyt, have architecture that designates high level positions in society. It's also believed to have a multicultural inspiration from Portuguese, Moorish and Arab cultures.

Next, archictecture in the Sudano-Sahel belt of Mali which spans across Mali, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and many other countries from West to East. Prior to colonization, African people identified themselves in a variety of ways based on tribe/kingdom, family clans and language but today, Western governments or war lords divided Africa into borders. The Sudano-Sahel belt is a remnant of empirical trade routes, precolonial kingdoms and a migration route leading from Sudan to West Africa. The belt also identifies the separation of climate conditions between savanna (tropical) climates and sahara (desert) climates. Countries in Northern Africa have desert climates and landscapes as well as Northen regions of countries closest to the Sudano-Sahel belt. 

The sunburnt orange, Adobe colored buildings are attributed to modern Sudano-Sahelian style found in Segou, Mali. Sahelian structures were once used for common villages and townsfolk, but in modern times it was reserved for higher, upper class social positions i.e., mosques, palaces and house of society. This particular structure was founded in the 1730s, however, houses made of clay was a common practice throughout most African kingdoms,  also spanning over acres of land surrounded by majestic walls. 

Another regal mudclay structure in Mali, officiated by Boubacar Doumbia called Ndomo. The Ndomo compound was built with intention and articulation with planted water lillies to protect the environment from the paint pollutants, according to Minzuu.com. A fully sustainable,  self-contained compounds with kitchens, waste compost and farms. 

This structure above is the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali. Many countries in Africa have been affected by the Arabian Slave Trade which was the Islamic-Arabian settlers who conquered a variety of African states prior to the European or Transatlantic slave trade, which led to a heavy influence of Arabian designs and an overwhelming display of upper class Islamic mosque construction. The traditional Sudano-Sahelian architecture can be found all throughout West Africa and usually are some of the oldest structures still standing amongst the westernized buildings that followed colonialism. 

Structures made of mud or clay are nothing to be embarassed about nor view as impoverished. A mud home is an innovative design that millions of pre-colonial kingdoms in today's Africa created from distant bloodlines. West Africa is known for the maintenance of villages outside of their capital cities and South Africa's mud structures are known for it's colorful designs matching the country's flag as below.

The Ndebele village in Mpumalanga provice of South Africa is one of the original rainbow designs in African architecture styles. The KwaZulu Natal Zulu kingdoms in South Africa and Zimbabwe share these housing structures as a traditional part of their indigenous cultures. Homes made with mud, clay, brick, wood, or plants is a commonality amongst many indigenous civilizations throughout the world. The weather climate plays a major role in the stability of structures during natural weather changes and the cooling effect against the sun. 

Lastly, the straw mosque in Senegal built my a mystic named Serigne Omar Sy is a modern structure from 1913. Modern architecture that reclaim ancient styles from the past are not only beautiful as art, but it's safer for the environment and the natural elements of the Earth. Modern architecture in Africa has an opportunity to develop sustainable housing structures for the billions of people on the continent and it's encouraged for citizens or expatriates to utilize earth material structures for the preservation of Africa's land. Written by Nakira G. May 31, 2024 Keywords: African architecture, ancient, indigenous, religious, islam, muslim, arabic, migration, culture, art, housing, history, tourism, West Africa, slave trade, mud, clay