The Story in the Ruins of the Malindi Mosque
Helping Kilwa Kisiwani's history stand against the tides
Kilwa Kiswani boats on the shoreCyArk
Kilwa Kisiwani’s location on the coast of Tanzania helped it grow into a hugely successful city. It made it a bustling trade hub and gave it a vital role in the Islamification of East Africa around the 10th century AD.
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani Overlooking the Water (2018-12) by CyArkCyArk
This can be seen by the number of mosques at the site. The Malindi mosque, next to the Gereza fort, is being threatened by erosion.
Kilwa Kisiwani infographic increased wave actionCyArk
Rising sea levels and the loss of mangroves that normally protect the mosque from the water have caused damage on the side that faces the sea.
Inside the Malindi Mosque in Kilwa Kisiwani (2018-12) by CyArkCyArk
Although it’s in ruins, it is still possible to see the central mihrab (a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque) and several columns.
Setting up a laser scanner in the Malindi Mosque of Kilwa Kisiwani (2018-12) by CyArkCyArk
The mosque has been digitally documented to provide a record of its condition before more of the structure is lost.
