Larabanga Mosque — Lost Sudanese Mosque
Larabanga Mosque · Mecca of West Africa
Medieval Sudanese (15th–16th c)·Dagomba–Dyula Islam·🇬🇭 Savannah Region, Ghana
About
About Larabanga Mosque — Lost Sudanese Mosque
Larabanga Mosque (1421 legend, likely 16th c) is the oldest mosque in Ghana and purest Sudanese adobe (Sudanic) with two 12 m pyramidal towers (mihrab and minaret) 8×10 m mud mass, 12 massive toron wood scaffolds. Built by Ayuba, Moor trader, claims Mecca replica dream. Whitewashed with buttresses, Quran relic by Imam Bakari. Near Mole elephant corridor. UNESCO WMF Watch. Annual cow sacrifice festival. Adobe spalling threatens.
Why it mattersOldest surviving Sudanese mosque in Ghana bridging trans-Saharan Islam to forest zone.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 011421 dating vs 16th c style discrepancy
Theories
- 01Ayuba legend syncretizes pre-Islamic sacred stone nearby
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 1421 legend; architectural style 16th c
- Period
- Medieval Sudanese (15th–16th c)
- Culture
- Dagomba–Dyula Islam
- Builders
- Moor trader Ayuba & Dagomba masons
- Purpose
- Saharan-style Friday mosque for trans-Saharan salt–cola caravan
- Excavation
- Not applicable
1421
Legendary foundation by Ayuba
16th c
Sudanic fabric dated
2002
World Monuments Watch listing
On the ground
Structures & features
9.2180° N · 1.8590° W · 180 m · 3 mapped features
Mihrab Tower (12 m Pyramidal)
towerEastern tower 12 m with adobe tiers and 8 toron poles, qibla orientation 67°
9.2185° N · 1.8585° WMinaret Tower (12 m Pyramidal)
minaretWestern tower 12 m with cacoon 2 m square minaret and wooden drum apex
9.2175° N · 1.8595° WAncient Quran Relic & Stone
relicMystic stone 1 m and handwritten Quran chest inside mosque, pilgrimage focal
9.2180° N · 1.8590° W