Architecture of Colonialism

Colonialism impacted Africa in many ways, ranging from being partially responsible for disappearances in indigenous architecture and showcasing the resilience of the people who made it, to providing new perspectives on architecture that could be manipulated into something new. 

Pictured above is the tolek, a dome building that was created by the Mousgoum until it started disappearing in the 1930's due to "the combination of forced labor under French colonialism, Mousgoum emigration, changes in societal structures, illness, and death" (Nelson 40). The tolek is now being used as a symbol of agency by the Mousgoum, and serves as a form of history.

Similarly, in Ghana, many structures have a very British influence from colonization. However, Ghanaians took the British style and specifically adapted aspects for their purpose, such as invoking more asymmetry and incorporating courtyards. As said by Micots, "[h]ybrid architecture in colonial Ghana... reflects status, modernity, and resistance to British colonization" (Micots 41).

Colonialism impacted the structures from my projects in the ways that the egyptomania can often cause inexperienced or disrespectful folk to come into a site and disrupt, disrespect, or damage various tombs and temples. Many historical tombs have been ransacked across generations both by large systems of oppression and small groups of folk.