Objectives
The main aim of the project was to restore the mosque to its pre-1970 state, when it was still conserved in the traditional way, in order to:
- increase the durability of the structure ;
- restore a greater degree of authenticity ;
- reduce maintenance costs.
Another objective was to enable the community to generate a minimum of regular income for the regular upkeep of the site.
The Larabanga mosque is famous and revered throughout Ghana, as it is said to be the country's first mosque. Today, this small mosque is a popular pilgrimage destination for the entire Muslim community in the sub-region. It is also a remarkable example of Sudano-Sahelian architecture. Only 8 mosques of this style have stood the test of time in Ghana.
Until 2002, the Larabanga mosque suffered from an inadequate sand-cement coating applied in the 1970s. This waterproof coating trapped moisture in the structure, causing the material to weaken. The damp environment encouraged decomposition of the wooden beams, and their attack by termites.
Since 1970, portions of the walls have continued to crumble, necessitating regular major interventions. At the beginning of September 2000, the minaret collapsed during a storm, showing once again that the sand-cement coating applied with the intention of solving maintenance problems once and for all has only brought problems:
- From 1970 to 2000, maintenance required more effort than before;
- Maintenance of the cement plaster, which regularly fell into patches, was very costly for the community;
- Piecemeal recarpeting has had a disastrous effect on the integrity and authenticity of the site.
As a result, the Ghana Museums Board and CRAterre proposed that the mosque be included on World Monument Watch's list of the 100 most endangered monuments, which it was in 2002.
The project took 3 years to complete:
2002: Inscription of the site on the 2002 Watch List (World Monuments Watch)
2003: Documentation of the site and complete restoration
- Diagnosis and complete survey of the mosque;
- Discussions with local people and their representatives on the organization of work and management of the site after the project;
- Identification and selection of suitable materials;
- Experimentation (tests on surface finishes)
- Dismantling of fragile or badly damaged parts
- Removal of cement “crust
- Reconstruction of missing parts and complete restoration
2004: Preparation of promotional material
Results
- The mosque was completely restored between February and April 2003;
- The minaret, mirhab and roof were dismantled and rebuilt using archive images.
- This restoration serves as an example for the conservation of the 7 other similar mosques in Ghana.
- Site equipment was handed over to the community
- 8 masons and 12 workers were trained on site
- 5 curators from the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board took part in the work and benefited from the opportunity to receive on-the-job training.
- In 2004, 3,000 copies of a 36-page booklet were printed and handed over to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
- 8,000 postcards were also produced and sent to GMMB (8 postcards printed in runs of 1,000 each).
Partners
Ghana Museums and Monuments board - Accra head office, Ghana Museums and Monuments board, Kumasi office, The World Monuments Fund programme, Larabanga Community (including the Chief Imam, Assembly man, Village Chief, Tingkpema, elders and traditional rulers, artisans and technicians), Damengo Municipality
