The Sudanese-style mosque of M’Bengue. © RFI / Sidy Yansané
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage body has granted eight mosques in northern Ivory Coast a heritage status.
The Mali Empire inspired these mosques seven centuries ago.
UN heritage body says the buildings are “highly important testimonies to the trans-Saharan trade” that has progressed viz a viz the region.
The mosques in the towns of Tengréla, Kouto, Sorobango, Samatiguila, M’Bengué, Kong and Kaouara “are the best conserved of 20 such edifices that remain in Ivory Coast, where hundreds existed early last century,” UNESCO says.
The implications of this new status means they are considered to have universal cultural value and will be granted them extra protection.
