Bole Mosque

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Bole Mosque
Bole Mosque.jpg
The mosque in 2020, prior to its 2023 collapse
Religion
Affiliation Islam
Ecclesiastical or organisational status Mosque
StatusActive
Location
Location Bole, West Gonja District, Savannah
Country Ghana
Ghana physical map.svg
Red pog.svg
Shown within Ghana
Bole Mosque
Interactive map of Bole Mosque
Coordinates 9°1′42.43″N2°29′16.45″W / 9.0284528°N 2.4879028°W / 9.0284528; -2.4879028
Architecture
TypeMosque
Style Sudano-Sahelian
Completedc.17th century
Specifications
Minaret Several (pyramid shape)
Materials Adobe

The Bole Mosque is a mosque located in the center of Bole in the West Gonja District, in the Savannah region of Ghana. [1] [2] The mosque collapsed in 2023; and was restored in the following year.

Contents

History

The date of the mosque's construction is unknown, yet is dated from the 17th century; it was perhaps rebuilt in the early 20th century, after the destruction of the town by Samori Toure. [3] It is also claimed in the oral traditions that it was constructed in the 18th century. [4] The state of the Gonjas was claimed to have emerged in the mid 16th century which is in the Savannah region. It extends to the tropical forest to the north in current Ghana. Oral tradition claims its origin goes back to the arrivals of the Mande conquerors who originated from the area of Djenne because of the gold trade and took control of it. [3]

Due to torrential rain in September 2023 the structure, which was already infected with termites, collapsed. [5] [6] It was rebuilt in early 2024, using traditional materials. [7]

Features

It is made of adobe in the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style with sticks and mud. [1] [8] [9] It also has wooden poles found between the buttresses but do not function as structural support to the building. They are used as scaffolding for maintaining the painting and plaster at times. It has short towers. [10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Bole Mosque". breathlist.com. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Adventure Archives". Visit Ghana. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Genequand, Denis; Apoh, Wazi; Gavua, Kodzo; Amoroso, Hugo; Hajdas, Irka; Maret, Fabien; de Reynier, Christian (June 15, 2016). Excavations in Old Buipe and Study of the Mosques of Bole (Ghana, Northern Region).
  4. ↑ Lewis, Andrea. "Mosque in Bole". International Mission Board. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  5. ↑ Haun, William. "Ghana's Historic Mosques: Bole". The Hauns in Africa.
  6. ↑ "Historic Bole Mosque collapses after years of neglect". www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage. September 23, 2023.
  7. ↑ Andoh, Richmond. "The ancient Bole Mosque reconstructed to preserve history". Ghanafuo. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Stock Photo - Bole Mosque, Ghana - Built With Sudanese Architectural Style Dating From The 17th Century". Alamy. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Mosque of Bole made from mud and sticks in Ghana - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock". Adobe Stock. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Ghana's Historic Mosques: Bole". The Hauns in Africa. May 22, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2020.


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