Restoration of the Tomb of Askia in Gao: A symbol of resistance in the face of climate and security challenges
A historic monument in full renaissance
In the heart of Gao, in northern Mali, lies an architectural treasure that is more than 500 years old: the Tomb of Askia. This iconic monument, listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger since 2012, is currently at the centre of an ambitious restoration, despite the challenges posed by the climate and insecurity in the region.
The Tomb of Askia, built in 1495 by Askia Mohamed, founder of the Songhai Empire, symbolises the past power of this West African empire. “It is a very ancient monument that bears witness to the greatness of the Songhai Empire,” explains Mamadou Samake, head of the cultural mission of Gao. Listed as a national and world heritage site since 2004, this site is of major cultural and historical importance for the region.
Ambitious restoration work and climate challenges
Since last March, a team of local craftsmen and international experts has been working on the rehabilitation of the Tomb of Askia, one of the largest restoration projects undertaken in 500 years. However, in August, torrential rains hit the region, causing part of the ceiling of the mosque adjoining the tomb to collapse. Despite these difficult conditions, Abdoulaye Cissé, an architect specializing in earthen architecture, remains optimistic: “This is a major project that we are tackling, despite the interruptions caused by the rainy season.”
Bad weather is a growing threat to the region’s earthen monuments. Valery Freland, director of the Aliph Foundation, which is supporting this project with $500,000, stresses the importance of strengthening these constructions in the face of climate change. “The exceptional rains in the Sahel are further weakening these earthen buildings,” he explains, recalling that the sustainability of traditional architecture must adapt to these new challenges.
Transmission of know-how and preservation of cultural heritage
In addition to the physical restoration of the site, this project also aims to preserve and transmit traditional construction techniques, an ancestral know-how that is an integral part of local history. Craftsmen from Gao, accompanied by experts from the CRAterre association, are working hand in hand to restore the monument using traditional methods.
Oumar Seydou Maiga, a resident of Gao, expresses the pride of the population in these efforts: “The Tomb of Askia is a source of pride for us here. It is a living museum that attracts historians from all over the world.” Indeed, the restoration project is not only an architectural project, but also represents a symbol of resilience for the inhabitants of Gao, who continue to protect their cultural heritage despite violence and security challenges.
Adapting to an unpredictable climate
The project to restore the Tomb of Askia is part of a broader context of conservation of traditional earthen architecture, which is being hit hard by the effects of climate change. Mohamed Soumeylou Traoré, historian and researcher, emphasizes that this initiative is crucial: “Several Askia emperors rest in this sacred place, which makes it an emblematic site of Malian history.”
The main challenge is to adapt old construction techniques to current climatic realities, marked by increasingly unpredictable and intense precipitation. Valery Freland emphasizes this issue: “One of the real challenges is to know how traditional earthen architecture can withstand more intense climatic phenomena than in the past.”
A community committed to protecting its heritage
The role of the local community in preserving the Tomb of Askia is fundamental. In 2012, faced with jihadists who were trying to destroy historical monuments, the inhabitants of Gao showed their determination to protect this invaluable heritage. This resistance continues today through their involvement in the restoration project.
Conclusion
The Tomb of Askia restoration project represents much more than a simple architectural rehabilitation. It is a symbol of the resilience of cultural heritage in the face of climate and security challenges. For the people of Gao, this monument is a source of pride, and its preservation demonstrates the importance of preserving Mali’s historical and cultural heritage. The work, which will resume at the end of the rainy season, thus embodies renewed hope for the region and its inhabitants, while contributing to the preservation of traditional earthen architecture.
