Discover the wonders of the Africa Architecture Scene through these images of African buildings.
Traditional African architecture is rapidly becoming one of the most searched for subjects on the internet. Because in Africa architecture is, simply, phenomenal.
This article gives you the best of what is the traditional architecture of Africa. You will learn about African architecture styles, from ancient African architecture and pre colonial African architecture to modern African architecture.
List of All Impressive Africa Architecture (17 African Buildings)
- Great Zimbabwe Ruins
- Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
- Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
- Nabemba Tower
- Mosgum Dwelling Units
- The Bandjoun Palace
- King’s Palace – Ingoro Yumwami
- Ruhehe Primary School
- Bete Giyorgis Rock-Hewn Church of Lalibela
- Lycée Schorge Secondary School
- The Palace of the Hidi (Chief)
- Senegambian Stone Circles
- The Mosque of Djénne
- A Batammariba Granary
- Nubian Pyramids of Meroë
- Berber Houses
- The Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
Read these 2 articles about Africa Architecture? If so, scroll downnn!
These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which ones do you recognize?
These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which ones do you recognize?
Want African history in a fast and easy way? Read: A Brief History of Africa.
This post is all about Africa architecture.
Taarifa
Taarifa means information in Kiswahili, at the foot of each image is a section headed “Taarifa” containing pertinent information relating to the image.
17 Impressive Buildings Out Of The Africa Architecture Scene
North Africa Architecture
17. Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
The Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata are impressive examples of Maghreban architecture. The Ksour were founded in the 11th and 12th centuries and were important caravan trade route sites in the Sahara desert.
A great deal of Islamic ancient African architecture is found in Mauritania. Tichitt Walata is the oldest stone settlement in sub Saharan Africa, and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
ULIJUA? – African Architecture Facts
The Friday Mosque of Chinguetti is the second oldest minaret still in use. (It is #7 in: 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures)
Taarifa
People: the Berber
What: Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
Material: stone
Time period: 11-12th century
Location: Ouadane, Mauritania, North Western Africa
© John Spooner / CC BY-NC 2.0
16. Berber houses
These Berber houses, located in the Anti-Atlas mountain range make up what is Moroccan architecture in the region of Tafraout.
Pre colonial Africa architecture similar to these houses is quite common in Morocco, like the 16th century Tamnougalt Fortified Village which is also situated in the Atlas mountains.
Taarifa
People: the Berber
What: houses
Material: stone
Time period: before the 20th century
Location: Tafraout, Morocco, North Africa
© Nouaman Bentaj / CC-BY-4.0
15. Nubian Pyramids of Meroë
The Nubian pyramids of Meroë are an indication of the great African civilizations that once inhabitated the ancient city of Meroë of modern-day Sudan.
ULIJUA? – African Architecture Facts
Sudan is the country with the most pyramids in the world.
Today, ancient African architecture remnants from Nubia are found in Sudan and Egypt. The Egyptian city of Aswan is filled with Nubian history and even has a village dedicated to Nubian architecture. See the Nubian village in 21 Images of African Culture Aesthetic of Everyday Life.
Taarifa
People: the Kushites
What: Pyramids
Height: avg. 6-30 meters
Material: granite, sandstone
Time period: 3rd century BCE–4th century CE
Location: Meroë, Sudan, North Africa
© Nina R / CC-BY-2.0
7 Enlightening Novels about Africa Book List for the Cultured Reader
7 Enlightening Novels about Africa Book List for the Cultured Reader
West Africa Architecture
14. Batammariba Granary
This granary is a great show of Benin vernacular architecture. It was built by the Batammariba people of modern-day Togo and Benin.
Benin architecture is known to be impressive. Belonging to the great kingdoms of Benin, the centuries old Walls of Benin which are “the longest earthworks of the pre-mechanical era” stood until its (recent) near destruction. Today, the Kingdom of Benin is especially reputed for its irreplicable Benin Bronze Sculptures.
Taarifa
People: the Batammariba
What: a Granary
Material: mud, stone
Time period: present
Location: Manta, Benin, West Africa
© Ji-Elle / CC-BY-SA-4.0
13. The mosque of Djenné
The Mosque of Djenné is Sudano-Sahelian architecture and is a great representation of ancient Mali architecture. The mosque is rebuilt or plastered every year by traditional artisans during the Crépissage de la Grande Mosquée.
This piece of ancient African architecture is from Mali Empire, known for its ninth ruler, Mansa Musa, and for being succeeded by the Songhai Empire whose artifacts you can see here.
Modern African architecture like The BCEAO Tower and The African Heritage House is influenced by Sudano-Sahelian architecture.
Taarifa
People: the Mandé
What: a Mosque
Height: 16 metres
Material: mud
Time period: 13th–14th century
Location: Djenné, Mali, West Africa
© BluesyPete / CC-BY-SA-3.0
12. Senegambian stone circles
These stone circles are made of megaliths i.e. prehistoric large stones making a structure or a monument. Though their history largely remains a mystery today, we can see what was architecture like in ancient Africa in this part of the globe.
By the way, if you ever need to time travel back to Africa this article, 15 Types of Clothing in Medieval Africa Every Time Traveller Should Own, will have you covered … literally 😉.
Taarifa
People: unknown
What: megalithic stone circles
Area: 9.85 hectares (24.3 acres)
Material: stone
Time period: c. 500, or earlier
Locations: along the River Gambia, The Gambia and Senegal, West Africa
© Tobias 67 / CC-BY-SA-4.0, © UNESCO / CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
ULIJUA? – African Architecture Facts
Mud and stone are common African architecture characteristics making what is known as African vernacular architecture.
11. Palace of the Hidi (Chief)
The Sukur of modern-day Nigeria were once a very important people that have contributed much to Nigerian architecture.
In Nigeria, the Sukur Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Taarifa
People: the Sukur
What: a Hidi's (Chief) Palace
Material: stone
Time period: 16-17th century
Location: Madagali, Adamawa, Nigeria, West Africa
© UNESCO / CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
READ: A Brief History of Africa in 7 pictures, for a concise overview of Africa.
10. Lycée Schorge secondary school
The Lycée Schorge secondary school is a structure expertly designed in a circular shape. The school’s design shields the students and the building from dust and wind. The Lycée Schorge was made by the Kere architecture firm from 2014-2016.
The article Inside 9 African Traditional Houses & Structures showcases in images another of Kere architectures projects: the award winning Gando Primary School in Burkina Faso.
Taarifa
People: the Burkinabè
What: a Secondary School
Size: 1,660 square meters
Material: laterite stone, local eucalyptus wood
Opened: 2016
Location: Koudougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa
15 Types of Clothing in Medieval Africa Every Time Traveller Should Own
15 Types of Clothing in Medieval Africa Every Time Traveller Should Own
East Africa Architecture
9. BETE GIYORGIS Rock-Hewn Church of Lalibela ቤት ጊዮርጊስ
The 11 Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela are some of the great jewels of pre colonial African architecture. The Bete Giyorgis (ቤት ጊዮርጊስ in Amharic) was built in late 12th or early 13th century during the reign of the Christian King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty.
Ethiopia contributed lots to art like this 15th century triptych painting of The Christ Nursed by the Virgin Mary. The Ethiopia architecture scene incorporated many more churches like this 6th century Church, thought to be the first authentic Ethiopian church still standing and only accessible by rock climbing up a cliff with a rope. Read about it here (it’s no.3): These are 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses and Structures. Which ones do you recognize?.
Taarifa
People: the Agaw
What: a Church
Height: 13 meters
Material: volcanic tuff
Time period: 12th - 13th century
Location: Lalibela, Ethiopia, East Africa
© UNESCO / CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Confused about all this? Read a Brief History of Africa.
8. Ruhehe primary school
The Ruhehe Primary School is a school in Rwanda designed by architects of the Mass Design Group.
Taarifa
People: the Rwandese
What: a Primary School
Year completed: 2018
Location: Musanze, Rwanda, East Africa
7. King’s Palace
The King’s Palace in Rwanda which is a traditional African hut, was the home of royalty in Nyanza, the Kingdom of Rwanda. It is a representation of pre colonial African architecture.
This article: Inside 9 African Traditional Houses & Structures You Can Actually Visit that showcases modern and pre colonial African architecture will also show you how the King’s Palace looks like from the interior!
Taarifa
People: the Rwandese
What: a Palace
Location: King’s Palace Museum Nyanza, Rwanda, East Africa
© Muhirehussein12 / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Equatorial Africa Architecture
6. Chengbundyeh or the Bandjoun palace
Pre colonial African architecture of the Bamileke was grandiose. The inside of the Bandjoun palace is just as it was in the past with its furniture made almost exclusively out of bamboo wood.
Taarifa
People: the Bamileke
What: a Palace
Height: 17 meters
Material: (bamboo) wood
Time period: c. 17 century
Location: Bandjoun, Cameroon, Central Africa
© Bamiboi / CC-BY-SA-4.0
5. Mosgum dwelling units
Musgum dwelling units, or Toleks in Munjuk, are an important style of architecture in Cameroon. Musgum mud huts are generally built grand and in the shape of a beehive allowing cool air on hot days and always creating a beautiful scene.
They are definitely made in a style that should make a comeback as Modern African architecture.
Taarifa
People: the Mosgum
What: houses
Height: 9 meters
Material: mud
Year (of photograph): 1912
Location: Cameroon, Central Africa
4. Nabemba tower
The Nabemba Tower, also named Elf Tower after a French oil company, is an example of modern African architecture. The Nabemba Tower is the tallest building in the Republic of Congo and though it is a beautiful skyscraper, the high maintenance building stands to show what infrastructure the country values most.
Taarifa
People: the Congolese
What: an office block
Height: 106 meters (30 floors)
Materials: glass and white concrete
Opened: 1986
Location: Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
© Leon Bilili / CC-BY-SA-4.0
Southern Africa Architecture
3. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa Architecture is modern African architecture. It is the largest African museum of contemporary art. The Zeitz MOCAA is a conversion of the 20th century Grain Silo building.
Taarifa
People: the South Africans
What: a Museum (MOCAA)
Height: 57 meters
Material: concrete, glass
Opened: 2017
Location: Cape Town, South Africa, Southern Africa
© Matti Blume / CC-BY-SA-4.0
2. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
In the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape are remains of one of the largest kingdoms of its time that today are somewhat of a mystery in South Africa architecture.
Pictured above is the Mapungubwe Hill which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe.
Ancient Historical Fashion Items of South Africa Here >>>: 15 Types of Clothing in Medieval Africa.
Taarifa
People: the Mapungubwe
What: ruins of a kingdom
Area: 30,000 hectares
Material: stone
Time period: 900-1300
Location: Mapungubwe, South Africa, Southern Africa
© UNESCO / CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
1. Great Zimbabwe Ruins
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe, rumoured to be the capital of the Queen of Sheba, was once a powerful kingdom rich in resources.
ULIJUA? – African Architecture Facts
The Great Zimbabwe ruins can be seen from space!
Many clues about the king or queendom was like are found within the palace’s ruins, one of which are sleeping headrests meant to maintain fancy hairdos. See one in: 7 Treasured Medieval and Ancient African Art History Objects Found *Across* The Continent of Africa.
Taarifa
People: the Shona
What: ruins of a kingdom or queendom
Area: 80 hectares
Material: granite
Time period: 9th-15th century
Location: Masvingo, Zimbabwe, Southern Africa
© Simonchihanga / CC-BY-SA-4.0
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