These design elements were brought by the Arabs when they migrated and took control of foreign lands through conquest.
Nowhere else this manifests more than in West Africa.
It was built in the late 19th century.
These wooden stakes, calledtoron, are used as scaffolding when the surface is reworked every year.
They also serve a decorative purpose.
The mosques usually have a tower, a flat roof and a courtyard.
The floor inside is covered with sand over which prayer mats are laid.
Natural light streaming in through holes pierced in the ceiling provide the only illumination.
A boy rides a bicycle in front of the Great Mosque of Djenne.
Each mosque, however, has its own distinctive character.
The Great Mosque of Djenne.
Photo credit:Carsten ten Brink/Flickr
The Great Mosque of Djenne.
Photo credit:Romel Jacinto/Flickr
The Great Mosque of Djenne.
Photo credit:Jurgen/Flickr
Annual repair of the facade of Djennes Great Mosque.
The mosque is built with mud and reeds, and has two tall towers in pyramidal shape.
Photo credit:Sathyan Velumani/Wikimedia
The 18th century Banda Nkwanta Mosque in Ghana follows the same style.
Photo credit:University of Geneva
And so does Bole Mosque in West Gonja District, Ghana.
Photo credit:Carsten ten Brink/Flickr
The historic mosque of Kong, in Ivory Coast.
The original structure dates back to 989 AD.
Photo credit:Martha de Jong-Lantink/Flickr
The Grand Mosque of Mopti in Mali.
Photo credit:Carsten ten Brink/Flickr
