Rethinking the conservation of Afro-Brazilian mosque legacy

Abstract

ABSTRACT The focus of this paper is the state of conservation of the Afro-Brazilian mosques in Yorubaland in Nigeria. These mosques signify a symbolic moment in West Africa’s architectural history as a cross-fertilization of Luso-Brazilian architectural elements with West African Islamic architectural traditions. Their architectural characteristics have been described based on extensive fieldwork in Yorubaland, during which they have been identified, located and documented. By utilizing physical observations, anecdotal evidence, and secondary literature, the paper categorizes the Afro-Brazilian mosques according to their typological and morphologic characteristics and identifies their heritage values. Their significance is highlighted as the evidence of cross-fertilization of imported and local architectural ideas as well as the negotiation of the indigenes with this imported architecture and its implications for urban memory. After addressing the conservation problems concerning the legacy of Afro-Brazilian mosques, the paper finally recommends a way forward for mobilizing action in response to their deterioration and loss.