HIST 111 The Great Mosque of Djenné Essay
Order ID 53563633773 Type Essay Writer Level Masters Style APA Sources/References 4 Perfect Number of Pages to Order 5-10 Pages Description/Paper Instructions
HIST 111 The Great Mosque of Djenné Essay
May 30, 2017
Choose a Wonder of the World from the list.
Modern Wonder of the World
The Great Mosque of Djenné
The world is full of wonders – architectural masterpieces that amaze us centuries and millennia after their creations. When the discussion turns to Wonders of the World, most of us conjure images of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Roman Colosseum, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and/or Machu Picchu in Peru. However, few of us would add monuments from sub-Saharan Africa to this list. Yet Africa is home to amazing architectural feats.
The City of Meroë, the ruins of Jenne-jeno, the Sankore Mosque, and the City of Great Zimbabwe rival their counterparts on other continents. As impressive as these wonders are, they pale in comparison with the Great Mosque of Djenné.
The Great Mosque deserves the title of Modern Wonder of the World, because it is the largest mud brick structure in the world, it combines the elements of a traditional Muslim mosque with African motifs, and it brings the people of Djenné together every year for an annual festival.
Create an argumentative thesis with informational elements. (2)
Three structures stood in the large market square in the city of Djenné. The 13th century King Koi Konboro built the first mosque after he converted to Islam (Vogel, n.d.). Over the centuries, the original structure deteriorated badly. According to Vogel, residents abandoned it during the early 19th century (Vogel, n.d.). During the 19th century, a new and bigger mosque replaced the original structure. It, too, deteriorated. The French colonial government tapped the Dejenné mason guild to rebuild the third mosque in 1907, which still exists (Dainese, n.d.). When someone refers to the Great Mosque of Djenné, the reference is to the third mosque.
State where the wonder is/was located (3a).
While little is known about Konboro’s original mosque, scholars know it was constructed of mud bricks. The masons for the second and third structures also used mud brick as the primary building material, along with palm wood (Vogel, n.d.). The Great Mosque is the largest mud brick structure in the world (Dainese, n.d.).
It dwarfs its surroundings. It stands on a raised platform that rises 245 feet in the air on all sides (Fabricius, 2010). The main entrance faces north while the prayer wall faces toward Mecca in the east. Not only is the structure massive, but Fabricius claims it is a model of ecofriendly and sustainable architecture common to the region (Fabricius, 2010). Mud bricks are created by elements abundant in Mali. The structure is made of abobe, which combines sand, clay, water, and a binding organic material like straw or manure (Fabricius, 2010). The sun bakes the adobe into bricks, which are used without mortar. Adobe is also a natural insulator, which cools off interior spaces from the hot West African climate (Fabricius, 2010; Vogel, n.d.). Adobe is perfect for regions where there is enough water to create bricks, but not enough to melt the structure (Vogel, n.d.).
Discuss its building materials and how it was built (3e).
The mosque combines traditional Middle Eastern architecture with Sudano-Sahelian elements. Scholars claim it is the greatest example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture (Dainese, n.d.; Vogel, 2009; Fabricius, 2010). Like other Middle Eastern mosques, it has an enclosed prayer hall next to a large courtyard. However, that is where the Middle Eastern influence ends. There are several Sudano-Sahelian elements. First, ceramic caps on its roof open at night to provide fresh air to its interior rooms (Vogel, n.d.). Second, the façade has three minarets and a series of columns that create a rhythmic effect (Dainese, n.d.). Conical extensions with ostrich eggs, the Malian symbol of fertility and purity, top the columns (Dainese, n.d.). Next, there is a special court reserved for women (Dainese, n.d.). The principle entrance has earthen pillars that signal graves for local dignitaries (Dainese, n.d.). Finally, palm wood timbers provide structural support and decorative elements, as well as scaffolds during the structure’s annual re-plastering.
Identify its significant features (3d).
A photograph of the Great Mosque of Djenné
Figure 1. (Ihhais, 1907, para. 11).
Adobe architecture requires constant upkeep and repairs to prevent deterioration. In Mali, people come together to preserve the mosque during the annual Crepissage de la Grand Mosquée festival. Beyond preserving the structure, the festival serves as an important cultural event. Thousands of people all over Mali come to re-plaster the mosque (Vogel, n.d.; Jodido, 2009). It is truly a community effort and lasts several days. Dainese describes how it works (Dainese, 2009). They create a plaster from butter and clay from the alluvial soil of the Niger and Bani Rivers. The men mix the plaster and knead it into the walls, while women provide the water. Elders sit on the walls giving advice – all as musicians provide entertainment.
Discuss its historical and contemporary significance. (4). Photography of residents of Djenné restoring the Great Mosque.
Figure 2. (Aga Khan, 2009, para. 1).
Throughout its history, the Great Mosque was the center of religious and social life in Mali (Dainese, n.d.; Jodido, 2009). From its creation to today, Muslim worshippers gather to pray, scholars teach young pupils in its madrasas, and residents shopped in the marketplace adjacent to it (Jodido, 2009). While no ruins still exist for the first two structures, the AKTC Project began a conservation project on the current Great Mosque in 2004 (Jodido, 2009). The conservation project, along with the annual Crepissage festival, preserve its structural integrity (Daines, n.d.; Jodido, 2009; Vogel, n.d.). Preservation of the site is essential, as tourism sustains the local economy. In fact, the 13,000 residents of Djenné only have two sources of revenue: the local marketplace and foreign tourists (Jodido, 2009).
Discuss what remains exist, its current condition, and whether it is open to visitors. (3c).
Explain what the original and current purpose of the structure (3b).
A line drawing of restoration efforts at the Great Mosque of Djenné
Figure 3. (Lau, 2011, para. 1).
The Great Mosque is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it should be recognized as a Modern Wonder of the World. It serves as the epicenter of religious and social life in Mali. Its mud brick architecture serves as a model of ecofriendly and sustainable architecture. It uses Middle Eastern mosque layout, but retains its African culture in the design. And its Crepissage festival preserves the building in a collaborative and fun way. Sadly, it would be the only sub-Saharan structure to be designated as a Wonder of the World. While it is the greatest example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, many of the structures of sub-Saharan Africa deserve to be recognized.
References
Find at least 3 “best” sources in addition to your image sources. (1)
Aga Khan Trust for Culture. (Photographer). (2009). Djenné ferey (traditional mud bricks) manufactured by hand. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://archnet.org/sites/6395/media_contents/89364.
Deinese, E. (n.d.). Great Mosque of Djenné. Khan Academy. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-africa/west-africa/mali1/a/great-mosque-of-djenne.
Fabricius, C. (2010). The Great Mosque of Djenné: The largest mud brick building on Earth. Scribol. Retrieved from http://scribol.com/art-and-design/architecture-art-and-design/the-great-mosque-of-djenne-the-largest-mud-brick-building-on-earth/.
Ihhais. (Photographer). (1907). Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-africa/west-africa/mali1/a/great-mosque-of-djenne.
Jodido, P. (Ed.) (2011). Case studies: Mali. The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme: Strategies for Urban Regeneration. Munich, Germany: Prestel, p. 226-229.
Lao, E. (Artist). (2011). Mud Mosque in Djenné, Mali. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://traveldrawn.com/2011/11/17/mud-mosque-in-djenne-mali/.
Vogel, S. (n.d.). Great Mosque of Djenné. Annenberg Learner. Retrieved from https://www.learner.org/courses/globalart/work/114/index.html.
UNESCO (n.d.). Old towns of Djenné. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/116/.
Provide a bibliography of your sources in one of the approved formats. (7).
RUBRIC
QUALITY OF RESPONSE NO RESPONSE POOR / UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT Content (worth a maximum of 50% of the total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 20 points out of 50: The essay illustrates poor understanding of the relevant material by failing to address or incorrectly addressing the relevant content; failing to identify or inaccurately explaining/defining key concepts/ideas; ignoring or incorrectly explaining key points/claims and the reasoning behind them; and/or incorrectly or inappropriately using terminology; and elements of the response are lacking. 30 points out of 50: The essay illustrates a rudimentary understanding of the relevant material by mentioning but not full explaining the relevant content; identifying some of the key concepts/ideas though failing to fully or accurately explain many of them; using terminology, though sometimes inaccurately or inappropriately; and/or incorporating some key claims/points but failing to explain the reasoning behind them or doing so inaccurately. Elements of the required response may also be lacking. 40 points out of 50: The essay illustrates solid understanding of the relevant material by correctly addressing most of the relevant content; identifying and explaining most of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology; explaining the reasoning behind most of the key points/claims; and/or where necessary or useful, substantiating some points with accurate examples. The answer is complete. 50 points: The essay illustrates exemplary understanding of the relevant material by thoroughly and correctly addressing the relevant content; identifying and explaining all of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology explaining the reasoning behind key points/claims and substantiating, as necessary/useful, points with several accurate and illuminating examples. No aspects of the required answer are missing. Use of Sources (worth a maximum of 20% of the total points). Zero points: Student failed to include citations and/or references. Or the student failed to submit a final paper. 5 out 20 points: Sources are seldom cited to support statements and/or format of citations are not recognizable as APA 6th Edition format. There are major errors in the formation of the references and citations. And/or there is a major reliance on highly questionable. The Student fails to provide an adequate synthesis of research collected for the paper. 10 out 20 points: References to scholarly sources are occasionally given; many statements seem unsubstantiated. Frequent errors in APA 6th Edition format, leaving the reader confused about the source of the information. There are significant errors of the formation in the references and citations. And/or there is a significant use of highly questionable sources. 15 out 20 points: Credible Scholarly sources are used effectively support claims and are, for the most part, clear and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition is used with only a few minor errors. There are minor errors in reference and/or citations. And/or there is some use of questionable sources. 20 points: Credible scholarly sources are used to give compelling evidence to support claims and are clearly and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition format is used accurately and consistently. The student uses above the maximum required references in the development of the assignment. Grammar (worth maximum of 20% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 5 points out of 20: The paper does not communicate ideas/points clearly due to inappropriate use of terminology and vague language; thoughts and sentences are disjointed or incomprehensible; organization lacking; and/or numerous grammatical, spelling/punctuation errors 10 points out 20: The paper is often unclear and difficult to follow due to some inappropriate terminology and/or vague language; ideas may be fragmented, wandering and/or repetitive; poor organization; and/or some grammatical, spelling, punctuation errors 15 points out of 20: The paper is mostly clear as a result of appropriate use of terminology and minimal vagueness; no tangents and no repetition; fairly good organization; almost perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage. 20 points: The paper is clear, concise, and a pleasure to read as a result of appropriate and precise use of terminology; total coherence of thoughts and presentation and logical organization; and the essay is error free. Structure of the Paper (worth 10% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 3 points out of 10: Student needs to develop better formatting skills. The paper omits significant structural elements required for and APA 6th edition paper. Formatting of the paper has major flaws. The paper does not conform to APA 6th edition requirements whatsoever. 5 points out of 10: Appearance of final paper demonstrates the student’s limited ability to format the paper. There are significant errors in formatting and/or the total omission of major components of an APA 6th edition paper. They can include the omission of the cover page, abstract, and page numbers. Additionally the page has major formatting issues with spacing or paragraph formation. Font size might not conform to size requirements. The student also significantly writes too large or too short of and paper 7 points out of 10: Research paper presents an above-average use of formatting skills. The paper has slight errors within the paper. This can include small errors or omissions with the cover page, abstract, page number, and headers. There could be also slight formatting issues with the document spacing or the font Additionally the paper might slightly exceed or undershoot the specific number of required written pages for the assignment. 10 points: Student provides a high-caliber, formatted paper. This includes an APA 6th edition cover page, abstract, page number, headers and is double spaced in 12’ Times Roman Font. Additionally, the paper conforms to the specific number of required written pages and neither goes over or under the specified length of the paper. GET THIS PROJECT NOW BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK TO PLACE THE ORDER
CLICK ON THE LINK HERE: https://www.perfectacademic.com/orders/ordernow
Also, you can place the order at www.collegepaper.us/orders/ordernow / www.phdwriters.us/orders/ordernow
Do You Have Any Other Essay/Assignment/Class Project/Homework Related to this? Click Here Now [CLICK ME]and Have It Done by Our PhD Qualified Writers!!