Scene of daily life around the mud mosque of Kong (Ivory Coast). The Great Mosque of Kong, originally constructed in the 17th century, is one of West Africa’s most stunning examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture. Built entirely of mud bricks (banco), wooden beams, and a smooth clay finish, the mosque reflects centuries-old traditions of Islamic architecture in the region. It is characterized by thick earthen walls that help regulate temperature, wooden beams protruding from the walls for structural support and as scaffolding for annual repairs, and minarets with conical spires that give it a distinctive silhouette. Rebuilt in the 20th century, the mosque remains an active place of worship and a symbol of Islamic heritage in Ivory Coast.