| Popis: |
This book is the account of a journey through the Sahara, from the Maghreb to the countries of the Sahel. The writer describes the history of the area and the technology, styles and backgrounds of its architecture. This is alternated with an account of the writer's experiences during the trip through a port of the continent whose roads are particularly difficult to negotiate. The journey leads from Algiers, whose ancient casbah is in a state of very bad repoir, to the cities of the M'zab in Northern Algeria. The medieval towns in this oasis have managed to preserve their historie city centres very well; they are characteristic of the Islamic architecture and urban development of the Maghreb. The natural beauty of Ihe Sahara makes a profound impression on the travellers. They are forced to drastically shorlen their intended course due to a serious breakdown of their car. The mud architecture of the Sahara and the Sahel is discussed extensively in its various aspects. A description is given of the old trading towns south of Ihe desert which were once visited by the caravans: Agadez, Goo and Djenné. The architectural style of the Sudan, represented most specifically in its mosques, reaches its climax here. In Mali the writer visits several villages of the animistic Dogon, a tribe of farmers whose architecture is intrinsically tied up with their philosophy of life and permeated with symbolism. Finally, the journey leads to Burkina Faso, in which country mud architeclure gradually gives way to the timber construction of the more humid, wooded regions of the south. Continuons influences from outside threaten the cultural heritage. The monuments and cities visited are often regarded as primitive by the local population. local and international investments in the preservation of these cultural expressions are therefore desirable. |
