Objectives
- Inscribe the Askias Tomb on the World Heritage List
- Prepare a management plan for the site
- Ensure long-term protection of the site's values
The tomb of the Askias, built by Askia Mohamed, Emperor of Songhai in 1495 in his capital Gao, bears witness to the power and wealth of the empire that flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries thanks to its control of trans-Saharan trade, particularly in salt and gold. This complex, which includes the pyramidal tomb, two mosques and a cemetery, is a precious testimony to the Songhai empire. This is what prompted the DNPC to nominate them for inscription on the World Heritage List.
CRAterre provided assistance under the AFRICA 2009 program to draw up the nomination and management plan. The management plan was the first document prepared, as had been done in Uganda for the Kasubi tombs nomination. Working on management as a priority helped to unite stakeholders around the nomination project, and to subsequently enrich the dossier. The process culminated in the actual inscription of the tomb in 2004. tombes Kasubi. Travailler sur la gestion en priorité a permis de fédérer les parties prenantes autour du projet d’inscription, et d’enrichir le dossier par la suite. Le processus a abouti à l’inscription effective du tombeau en 2004.
Numerous complementary activities were derived from the management planning phase. Promotional material for sale to visitors was produced, for example, to help raise the funds needed for maintenance (plastering of walls and roofs). Another interesting activity was the setting up of a nursery to reproduce the tree species used in the structure, to enable the renewal of damaged timbers, such as the elements used for permanent scaffolding on the facade.
Another innovation of this registration was the definition of specific regulations for the site's buffer zone, prepared in conjunction with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.
Results
- World Heritage Site
- Enhanced management
- Nursery created
- Booklet and postcards for sale
- Project considered an exemplary case study often presented in courses and seminars
Partners
Direction nationale du patrimoine culturel du Mali, traditional chiefs, Direction Régionale de la Jeunesse, des Sports, des Arts et de la Culture, Division Patrimoine Culturel (DRJSAC) de Gao, Musée du Sahel de Gao, members of the mosque management committee, officials of the Haut Commissariat de la Région de Gao, Ministère de l'habitat et de l'urbanisme.
