Architecture of Senegal
Senegambia encompasses the modern day country of Senegal and Gambia. Senegambian architecture is architecture originating from both nations. Over the years Senegambian architecture includes multiple types of architectural styles[1] depending on the ethnicity, or region.[2]
Pre-Colonial or Traditional Senegalese Architecture
A defining characteristic of Senegalese architecture due to climate, it differs greatly from other architectural styles in the Sahel that rely heavily on mud-brick. Traditional buildings typically use mud, brick, and wood.[1] These materials were used to build houses, mosques, and other types of housing.
Houses were typically made of a round hut, made of wood, leaves or thatch covering it.[3]
Dakar 1910
Traditional Dakar village
Dakar 1914.jpg)
Cayor Peuls (Fulanis), architectural style
Modern Hut Reconstruction " Case à impluvium (sur le modèle traditionnel) dans le campement villageois intégré d'Enampor (Casamance, Sénégal). "
Colonial Architecture
Senegal has an extensive history with the french, as the french have had settlements since 1659.[4] French architecture is found throughout Senegal in hotels, administrative buildings, built usually through the same , colonial architectural styles found in other parts of the world with french colonialism.[5] This saw the wide spread adoption of modernist style buildings.[1]
Dakar Hotel, built in French architecture
French Settler
Modern Style
Modern Senegalese architecture, draws from modernist, European influence, including Islamic influence, like the Grand Mosque of Dakar.[6]
Grand Mosque of Dakar
Grand Mosque of Dakar
References
- 1 2 3 "History Of Architecture In Senegal". design-encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ "Traditional Senegalese Architecture: A Living Heritage at the Heart of National Identity". Senegal Shuttle. 2025-08-05. Archived from the original on 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Depret, Roland (1982). "The Assimilation of Traditional Practices in Contemporary Architecture" (PDF). Reading the Contemporary African City. Singapore: Concept Media/Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2026-03-08.
- ↑ "Senegal Gains Independence From France". African American Registry. Archived from the original on 2025-08-17. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ Bigon, Liora (2004-12-01). "From the "Conqueror Style" to the "Protector Style": Architectural Dialogues in French Dakar, Senegal". The Arab World Geographer. 7 (4): 242–260. doi:10.64903/arwg.7.4.c47673j4952h4619. ISSN 1480-6800.
- ↑ "Grande Mosquee de Dakar (Great Mosque of Dakar) in Dakar, Senegal". GPSmyCity. Archived from the original on 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2026-06-19.