UNESCO sites represent the most precious and significant cultural and natural heritage of our planet, recognized for their universal value and the need to preserve them for future generations. These places not only testify to the richness of the world’s cultural and natural diversity but also serve as symbols of identity, history, and collective memory.Their protection is essential to keep alive the traditions, knowledge, and landscapes that form the foundation of our societies, contributing to sustainable development and the promotion of peace and mutual understanding on a global scale.
Djenné, located 130 km southwest of Mopti and about 570 km northeast of Bamako, is one of the oldest towns in sub-Saharan Africa. The “Old Towns of Djenné” property includes the town characterized by remarkable architecture, an urban fabric of rare harmony, and four archaeological sites that testify to a long-gone pre-Islamic civilization.
This property is an ensemble that, over the years, has symbolized the typical African city, particularly representative of Islamic architecture in sub-Saharan Africa.
The property is characterized by the intensive and remarkable use of earth in its architecture. The extraordinary mosque, of great monumental and religious value, is an exceptional example of this. The town is renowned for its civic constructions, with a distinctive style of verticality and buttresses, as well as elegant monumental houses with intricate facades.
Excavations have revealed an extraordinary chapter of human history dating back to the 3rd century BC, bringing to light an archaeological ensemble that bears witness to a pre-Islamic urban structure rich in circular or rectangular constructions and numerous archaeological artifacts.
The “Old Towns of Djenné” property still retains the values that justified its outstanding universal value at the time of its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.
First and foremost, the archaeological, historical, religious, and architectural values must be mentioned.
The ancient fabric of Djenné is an outstanding example of an architectural group of buildings illustrating a significant historic period. Influenced by Moroccan architecture (1591) and later marked by the Toucouleur Empire in 1862, Djenné’s architecture is characterized by its verticality, the buttresses punctuating the facades of the two-story houses, whose entrances are always given special attention.
The reconstruction of the Mosque (1906-1907) resulted in the creation of a monument representing local religious architecture that is “renewed” after every rainy season.
In addition to its prestigious mosque, Djenné still retains its elegant monumental houses of rigorous composition, with facades sometimes decorated by a porch and supporting pilasters, in the center of which is the “potige,” a decorative motif indicating the position of the front door.
The transmission of construction techniques is entrusted to the Barey Corporation, stone masons for generations.
The Great Mosque, the Koranic schools, and the Tombs of the Saints benefit from customary protection through the establishment of a management committee for the Mosque, the association for Koranic schools, and supervision by the village chief, his Council, and district chiefs.
Finally, through spirit, wisdom, welcome, and the Great Mosque, Djenné is and remains the “pious town.”
