The new exhibition "Mali Masons" is now on display at the Focus Gallery of African Voices in the Museum of Natural History. Brief introduction of three generations of masons: 77-year-old masons master Kong Baba; ; 52-year-old masons Bubakar, 49-year-old Raassina and salif; , 33; 20-year-old apprentice Almamy. They belong to Bosso, and established today's Jen (pronounced JEN-NAY) in the13rd century (an ancient city, Renren, was built in the southeast of the present town, but was later abandoned. )
Restored Jenny's historic building. In 15 and 16 centuries, kinney flourished as a trade and academic center. Today, the population of this city is dominated by * * *. The world-famous Jini Temple is the spiritual and geographical center of this city. The most impressive muddy building in Jini is a two-story house with a large entrance and buttresses, which reflects the influence of Moroccan architecture and the rule of the Tukolai Empire in the19th century.
Visitors to the exhibition can explore Guinness City through more than 50 photos, movies and objects. On display are some trading tools of ancient masons, including a mud basket, a rectangular brick frame and a pole made of local palm wood. These poles are used on long beams protruding from the outside of templo mayor. Masons use these beams as built-in scaffolding and climb to the side of the structure to re-lay mud.
Masons prepare mud. (Photo by Trevor Marchand) Djenné construction mud is an alluvial mixture rich in calcite, which is very durable, but needs to be reused regularly. Most masons' contracts are for maintaining mud houses. Traditionally, every family has its own masons who tear down houses year after year. Arnaudy said, "You are connected to a building. After the mason dies, his contract will be transferred to an apprentice, thus leaving the client at home.
The masons finished decorating the roof. (Photo by Trevor Malhand) But as Mei Sen explained in a series of short films in the exhibition, the old ways are disappearing. Nowadays, residents of Deheng often turn to young masons instead of masters when looking for maintenance, bypassing their ancestors' systems. Raassina said, "If you have a rich friend, they may let you build a house." . "This is what we are doing now."
The process itself is changing. Bubakar is a member of a new masons' group. He signed a contract with an international organization for restoration projects. Almami, a young apprentice, studied in the engineering school in Bamako, the capital of Mali, hoping to apply his technical education to the practice of masonry engineering with a long history. "People are not opposed to change," Arnaudy said. "They just oppose disrespect for knowledgeable people. In Malian culture, knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.
Overlooking the roof of Marikini. (Photo by Trevor Marchand) In recent years, in this conflict between tradition and modernity, the architectural structure of the city has become a battlefield. Many Deheng residents want to expand their houses and install modern facilities and decorations. The photos in the exhibition show that satellite antennas, tiles, turquoise frames and steel doors are exposed from the urban landscape made by the earth, but Ginny's UNESCO World Heritage status prohibits any changes to the architectural appearance of historical areas. Arnodi said that freezing the building was "timely" and people lived here. This is their home. In 2009, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture began to restore the jenné Grand Mosque, which was built in 1907, and the tension reached its peak. Every year, the building is resurfaced with soil to celebrate the arrival of city residents. However, after a century of accumulation, these mud layers destroyed the structure. The Aga Khan project stripped most of the soil on the surface and suspended the annual remuneration. Many masons opposed this action on the grounds of the spiritual and aesthetic significance of remuneration. * * * Temple is thinner now, and the straight lines and sharper edges erase the hand-carved quality of the original. Master Mei Sen Bubacar said, "If you ask us, we will say that they did it in the European way. The road to Africa is no longer the road to Africa. Judging from the jubilant crowds around the temple every year, the "Road to Africa" will continue to exist, although it will undoubtedly change. The new generation will transplant their own skills and experience into the architectural heritage of their ancestors. Almami, a young apprentice representing the future of this craft, said it best: "We will work with our own ideas and make our own achievements, but we will let our elders work in the old way. We hope these will remind our parents of what they have done. Barenton's
Freemasons, an organization similar to guilds, expressed their gratitude at the end of the renovation ceremony in templo mayor. (Photo by Trevor Malhand) Every Monday, Malians gather in front of templo mayor to participate in a regional market. (Photo by Barbara Frank)