Guy Says African Architecture Isn’t Showcased Compared To European And Asian, Posts 44 Of Its Gorgeous Examples
Byzantine, Gothic, Baroque, Modernist… We are familiar with many different styles of ‘Western’ architecture because they are celebrated and rightly so. Ottoman-style mosques and the pagodas of East Asia are also instantly recognizable, as well as the temples of the pre-colonial civilizations that flourished in Central and South America.
However, the Great Pyramids Of Giza aside, the glories of African architecture are often shamefully overlooked. Sadly, this is a symptom of a larger problem overall, where the rich diversity and culture of the African continent is largely glossed over in international media. Most reporting from the continent focuses only on issues that reinforce negative stereotypes – those of poverty, disease and war.
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There is much to appreciate about pre-colonial Africa – which is barely ever mentioned outside of history books. Up to 10,000 different states and autonomous groups with distinct languages and customs existed, and many advanced kingdoms and empires – such as the Asante Union, the Mossi Kingdom and the Zulu Kingdom – thrived before Europeans arrived with their guns, slavery and religion.
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A Twitter account called ‘Igbo Excellence’ (the Igbo people are an ethnic group from south and eastern Nigeria) decided that it was time to showcase some of the best African architecture, and his thread went viral as people appreciated these overlooked gems.
Image credits: 1ncognito___
Starting with Nubian – an ethnolinguistic group of Africans indigenous to present-day Sudan and southern Egypt believed to be one of the earliest cradles of civilization, Igbo Excellence posted examples from different areas and eras of African history, reminding us of the long and varied histories of peoples all across this vast continent.
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The mud mosques of the Sahel, including the magnificent Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali, are particularly impressive. The entire community of Djenné takes an active role in the mosque’s maintenance via a unique annual festival. This includes music and food, but has the primary objective of repairing the damage inflicted on the mosque in the past year, which is mostly erosion caused by the annual rains and cracks caused by changes in temperature and humidity.
Image credits: 1ncognito___
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The Great Mosque of Djenné has incredible cultural significance not just for the town but for the country as a whole – it features on the coat of arms of Mali. I would love to visit it one day!
Image credits: 1ncognito___
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Africa did not escape communist-era brutalism, with this monolith below dedicated to Angola’s first president Agostinho Neto towering over the skyline of the capital city, Luanda. It commemorates the president’s contribution to the overthrow of Portuguese colonial rule over Angola, which became a self-declared socialist state from its independence in 1975 until 1992. Angola’s current flag is said to be inspired by the Hammer and Sickle.
Other, more modern forms of Afro-futuristic architecture can be found in countries such as Ghana and Burkina Faso.
Image credits: 1ncognito___
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Somali architecture is a rich and diverse tradition of engineering and design. Spanning the ancient, medieval and early modern periods in Greater Somalia, it also includes the fusion of Somali architecture with Western designs in contemporary times.
It involves multiple different construction types, such as:
Stone cities, castles, citadels, fortresses, mosques, towers, megaliths, menhirs, dolmens, stone circles, monuments, temples, aqueducts, and lighthouses.
Image credits: 1ncognito___
Image credits: 1ncognito___
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Image credits: 1ncognito___
Swahili architecture is a term used today to designate a whole range of diverse building traditions practiced or once practiced along the eastern and southeastern coasts of Africa.
What is today seen as typically Swahili architecture is still very visible in the thriving urban centers of Mombasa, Lamu and Zanzibar.
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The architecture of Madagascar, a large island nation off the east coast of mainland Africa, is unique in the continent. It bears a strong resemblance to the construction norms and methods of Southern Borneo from which the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar are believed to have immigrated.
Throughout Madagascar and the Kalimantan region of Borneo, most traditional houses follow a rectangular rather than round form and feature a steeply sloped, peaked roof supported by a central pillar.
Image credits: 1ncognito___
As you can see, there is plenty to admire in the diverse and unique styles of architecture from all across the continent.
The original post by Igbo Excellence has so far attracted over 600k like and retweets, as people discover and rediscover this rich cultural heritage. People added their own examples as well, giving us a newfound appreciation for the wonder of African architecture!
Scroll down to see the rest of the examples for yourself and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Image credits: MarcZayat
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Little sister looking over my shoulder whispered "how can people make something so beautiful..." And honestly, I too am at a loss for words on how beautiful it all is.
Awe ur lil sis is adorable
Ok, first of all, brutalism has nothing to do with communism. Secondly, half this list is irrelevant, because international styles with minor local influences do not make "local architecture". Most of these could be taken from Africa and planted wherever, and would fit the contexts just as well. That's why it's called "international style". A lot of these examples also show strong islamic influences, so again, not entirely African. What is shown little in this list, and I think should make the very subject of this thread, is vernacular architecture. The examples from Ghana and Zimbabwe are exactly what should be shown more, as I had never seen them before. It's true, African architecture isn't studied much, aside from Egyptian, but that's because they did not influence the rest of the world much. It's a shame, really, they look unique and smartly engineered to overcome tough climatic conditions, which makes them very sustainable and could actually make them trendy again.
Studying it could absolutely be useful. Besides the aesthetics, as climate change progresses there are going to be more places with similar climatic conditions like the ones in many African places now and we could learn a lot from African architecture
Potatoes originally came from the Americas but are considered traditional food in Europe. Maize/corn also came from the Americas originally but many Africans do not consider themselves as having had a meal without it at the table. Coffee is associated with Italy but Italy does not grow it. The plant is part of the natural habitat in Eastern Africa and Latin America. A lot of "traditional American music' has African roots but its okay for them to claim it... Cultural exchanges have taken place time immemorial. What the locals do with it is what makes it 'traditional'. I see this very differently.
Several of these examples bear a very strong resemblance to traditional pueblo (native) and Spanish-influenced architecture of the southwest USA. They simply make a lot of sense in a hot arid climate with few large trees.
Why are people so ignorant? Like why? That these designs look like something you've seen somewhere else doesn't doesn't take away from the authenticity of the designs by African architects and building material sources. If you are going to boldly make a statement like this, especially one lacking any real factual basis, at least do your research into the buildings featured. Some of these are more recent, some older. Culture (which by definition changes and adapts over time) in Africa is diverse and shows in everything from religion to clothing. "Strong Islamic influences, so again not entirely African" such a frustratingly ignorant comment. Minor history edu about the the continent and its influences as well as influencers will do you and a lot of others some good. Like, this comment is even an insult to artis everywhere. To presume to determine that a design is not unique enough. You all are part of the problem whether you realize it or not. I could go on and on, but damn child! smh
Well Islam originated in Africa, as much as we like to pretend there is a such thing as the Middle East, there are 7 continents and Egypt, etc most definitely have always been part of Africa. You’re claiming international styles as of those styles originated somewhere else than Africa and Africans took influence vs the other way around which is unlikely because we know Africa architecture was built before the other cultural buildings. Aside, as mentioned without actually studying African art and being willing to acknowledge much of the foundation of mankind came from the place labeled as uncivilized and full of savages, the world will never see the credit it deserves.
I completely agree with you. You can't expect people to know about something if it's never had any kind of influence on the world's architecture. Saying that, a lot of the architecture looks very familiar and I even think some of it has influended a few movie sets, especially Sc-Fi-esque movies.
The condescending tone of your post is really bothering me!
i created an account just so i could like this comment
Islam is a religion... not an architectural style. That would be like sain that buildings in England don't count because they have heavy Christian influence. Very little architecture is not influenced by the outside world around it.
This comment has been deleted.
Your comment is the dumbest piece of educated-foolery I have ever read. Maybe you haven't noticed but history has shown that a lot is taken from Africa - Its people, all the way to its land. I'm just going to say you hate Africa. Because you literally can head on to downplay everything original lol. And Africa STAYS influencing the world. America pulls in architects from other places - who were inspired by African architecture! I'm just going to stop. Step off of your front porch every once in a while.
You are right on point. I did not see much variance in the listed buildings from western or Middle Eastern architecture. Emphasis should have been placed in vernacular or regional architecture in Africa. Such list would have shown more dynamic buildings, devoid of western styles or Islamic religious motifs typical to Middle Eastern architecture. The great pyramids of Egypt were the forerunners of modern architecture, albeit centuries before modern architecture was celebrated in the western world. And it followed fractal principles that was later used in developing computers.
It is somewhat suspicious that there isn't specific descriptions or even names for each building, (or did I just miss that, I read it quickly) I would argue about the idea that brutality isn't an intrinsic part of communism, but i know the feeling since they really came out swinging, like white people invented slavery, or that Christianity somehow squelched African creativity... You probably can't relate to my reaction to these specific things, but at least you are one of the hopefully many, but probably few, people that realize how manipulative and dishonest the average article is nowadays. Although all that being said, these buildings are fantastic and I consider myself to have good taste when it come to architecture. Although I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or is it..?)
You sound like you’re a lot of fun at parties
Thank you Claudia I. That sums it up!
Claudia, don’t speak about things you know nothing about.
then maybe you should have been the one to write this article and make this list but, you didn't.
Let’s get to the root of why there was a lack of influence, or even just acknowledgment/appreciation.
He should showcase architecture by persons of African origin, be it in Africa or international. That building from Madacascar looks like something you could find in Finland or rest of Europe, it's just a style and nothing unique. Here's what a South African architecture company came up for Notre Dame Comp: https://www.designnotredame.com/design-submissions/10193
That's what I was thinking too.
Some of these are stunning and very different to what I am used to. I was first introduced the Ethiopian architecture when my friend shown me pictures from a visit and I couldn't believe such epic churches and castles hadn't penetrated public consciousness or inspired a slew of fantasy art.
Little sister looking over my shoulder whispered "how can people make something so beautiful..." And honestly, I too am at a loss for words on how beautiful it all is.
Awe ur lil sis is adorable
Ok, first of all, brutalism has nothing to do with communism. Secondly, half this list is irrelevant, because international styles with minor local influences do not make "local architecture". Most of these could be taken from Africa and planted wherever, and would fit the contexts just as well. That's why it's called "international style". A lot of these examples also show strong islamic influences, so again, not entirely African. What is shown little in this list, and I think should make the very subject of this thread, is vernacular architecture. The examples from Ghana and Zimbabwe are exactly what should be shown more, as I had never seen them before. It's true, African architecture isn't studied much, aside from Egyptian, but that's because they did not influence the rest of the world much. It's a shame, really, they look unique and smartly engineered to overcome tough climatic conditions, which makes them very sustainable and could actually make them trendy again.
Studying it could absolutely be useful. Besides the aesthetics, as climate change progresses there are going to be more places with similar climatic conditions like the ones in many African places now and we could learn a lot from African architecture
Potatoes originally came from the Americas but are considered traditional food in Europe. Maize/corn also came from the Americas originally but many Africans do not consider themselves as having had a meal without it at the table. Coffee is associated with Italy but Italy does not grow it. The plant is part of the natural habitat in Eastern Africa and Latin America. A lot of "traditional American music' has African roots but its okay for them to claim it... Cultural exchanges have taken place time immemorial. What the locals do with it is what makes it 'traditional'. I see this very differently.
Several of these examples bear a very strong resemblance to traditional pueblo (native) and Spanish-influenced architecture of the southwest USA. They simply make a lot of sense in a hot arid climate with few large trees.
Why are people so ignorant? Like why? That these designs look like something you've seen somewhere else doesn't doesn't take away from the authenticity of the designs by African architects and building material sources. If you are going to boldly make a statement like this, especially one lacking any real factual basis, at least do your research into the buildings featured. Some of these are more recent, some older. Culture (which by definition changes and adapts over time) in Africa is diverse and shows in everything from religion to clothing. "Strong Islamic influences, so again not entirely African" such a frustratingly ignorant comment. Minor history edu about the the continent and its influences as well as influencers will do you and a lot of others some good. Like, this comment is even an insult to artis everywhere. To presume to determine that a design is not unique enough. You all are part of the problem whether you realize it or not. I could go on and on, but damn child! smh
Well Islam originated in Africa, as much as we like to pretend there is a such thing as the Middle East, there are 7 continents and Egypt, etc most definitely have always been part of Africa. You’re claiming international styles as of those styles originated somewhere else than Africa and Africans took influence vs the other way around which is unlikely because we know Africa architecture was built before the other cultural buildings. Aside, as mentioned without actually studying African art and being willing to acknowledge much of the foundation of mankind came from the place labeled as uncivilized and full of savages, the world will never see the credit it deserves.
I completely agree with you. You can't expect people to know about something if it's never had any kind of influence on the world's architecture. Saying that, a lot of the architecture looks very familiar and I even think some of it has influended a few movie sets, especially Sc-Fi-esque movies.
The condescending tone of your post is really bothering me!
i created an account just so i could like this comment
Islam is a religion... not an architectural style. That would be like sain that buildings in England don't count because they have heavy Christian influence. Very little architecture is not influenced by the outside world around it.
This comment has been deleted.
Your comment is the dumbest piece of educated-foolery I have ever read. Maybe you haven't noticed but history has shown that a lot is taken from Africa - Its people, all the way to its land. I'm just going to say you hate Africa. Because you literally can head on to downplay everything original lol. And Africa STAYS influencing the world. America pulls in architects from other places - who were inspired by African architecture! I'm just going to stop. Step off of your front porch every once in a while.
You are right on point. I did not see much variance in the listed buildings from western or Middle Eastern architecture. Emphasis should have been placed in vernacular or regional architecture in Africa. Such list would have shown more dynamic buildings, devoid of western styles or Islamic religious motifs typical to Middle Eastern architecture. The great pyramids of Egypt were the forerunners of modern architecture, albeit centuries before modern architecture was celebrated in the western world. And it followed fractal principles that was later used in developing computers.
It is somewhat suspicious that there isn't specific descriptions or even names for each building, (or did I just miss that, I read it quickly) I would argue about the idea that brutality isn't an intrinsic part of communism, but i know the feeling since they really came out swinging, like white people invented slavery, or that Christianity somehow squelched African creativity... You probably can't relate to my reaction to these specific things, but at least you are one of the hopefully many, but probably few, people that realize how manipulative and dishonest the average article is nowadays. Although all that being said, these buildings are fantastic and I consider myself to have good taste when it come to architecture. Although I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or is it..?)
You sound like you’re a lot of fun at parties
Thank you Claudia I. That sums it up!
Claudia, don’t speak about things you know nothing about.
then maybe you should have been the one to write this article and make this list but, you didn't.
Let’s get to the root of why there was a lack of influence, or even just acknowledgment/appreciation.
He should showcase architecture by persons of African origin, be it in Africa or international. That building from Madacascar looks like something you could find in Finland or rest of Europe, it's just a style and nothing unique. Here's what a South African architecture company came up for Notre Dame Comp: https://www.designnotredame.com/design-submissions/10193
That's what I was thinking too.
Some of these are stunning and very different to what I am used to. I was first introduced the Ethiopian architecture when my friend shown me pictures from a visit and I couldn't believe such epic churches and castles hadn't penetrated public consciousness or inspired a slew of fantasy art.