article
Beyond monument lies empire: mapping Songhay space in tenth- to sixteenth-century West Africa
RES: anthropology and aesthetics • (48) • Published In 2005 • Pages: 33-44
By: Van Dyke, Kristina.
Abstract
This article examines Songhai history through the properties of a spiritualized landscape and an embodied architecture. Ancestral shrines were nodes of spiritual power, as was Mecca; pilgrims returning from Mecca had to kiss their chief upon their return to transfer their blessings to him. The author argues that the lack of monumental architecture in places such as Gao and Timbuktu during the Songhai ascendency does not preclude the use of space in other ways to mark identity and power. The royal residence was never permanent, with the royal entourage itself acting as palace, denoting the majesty of the ruler.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2016
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Historian
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard; 2016
- Field Date
- not applicable
- Coverage Date
- 900-1600
- Coverage Place
- Gao, Mali
- Notes
- Kristina Van Dyke
- Includes bibliographical references
- LCSH
- Songhai (African people)