Introduction
The Old Mosque of Dioulassoba in Bobo-Dioulasso, built around 1880–1890 by Imam Sidiki Sanou, is a masterpiece of Sudano-Sahelian earthen architecture. A true cultural jewel of Burkina Faso, this historic building was rehabilitated between 2016 and 2019 before the collapse of its main minaret in August 2021. Several key moments have marked its history.
Construction
Initiated between 1873 and 1880, the construction of the mosque took about a decade. It was completed around 1890 by Imam Sakidi Gaoussou Sanou, who studied under the same Qur’anic teacher as Almamy Samory Touré. The mosque is a remarkable example of Sahelian architecture. According to local guides, Samory Touré prayed in the mosque for ten consecutive Fridays before continuing his resistance against colonial expansion.
Architecture
Built with mud bricks (banco) and wood, the mosque is distinguished by its bullet-shaped minarets reinforced with wooden stakes, supported by 42 interior pillars. The structure rests on earthen walls, with wooden beams protruding from the walls, which serve as scaffolding for annual maintenance. The roof is also made of banco. A zenithal lighting system is created using small terracotta jars embedded in the roof, allowing sunlight to illuminate the prayer hall naturally.
Capacity
The mosque can accommodate approximately 810 people. Initially reserved for men, it later evolved to include a space for women. Out of respect for age, the last two rows are reserved for elderly women who have completed their childbearing years or have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca. This original structure is complemented by a second section built in 1980, which is reserved for younger women.
Rehabilitation and Collapse
The government invested nearly 500 million CFA francs in restoration work between 2016 and 2019. The project aimed to modernize the earthen structure while preserving its traditional style, with the goal of listing it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, one of the mosque’s minarets collapsed in August 2021 following heavy rainfall.
Heritage
The mosque is an important place of prayer, especially on Fridays, and a major tourist site in the historic Dioulassoba district. It is far more than a religious building it reflects a spiritual, architectural, and communal heritage built on earth, faith, and dialogue between traditions. In the beating heart of the city, where prayers, cultures, and beliefs intersect, it remains a symbol of continuity, tolerance, and deep-rooted identity.
Conclusion
The mosque was built using ochre-colored clay, straw, and shea butter, materials that make it one of the most remarkable architectural examples of the Sahelian region. The Dioulassoba Mosque serves as both a religious and cultural landmark and remains a valuable architectural and cultural heritage site for the economic capital of Burkina Faso, Bobo-Dioulasso. However, in recent years, tourism has slowed due to insecurity in the region. The main minaret collapsed completely in 2021, but thanks to public fundraising and financial support from the government, the minaret is currently under reconstruction.
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