Islamic art and architecture in Sub-Saharan Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic art merges with indigenous artistic traditions, thus giving rise to a very distinctive interpretation of art and architecture.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The course will explore the rich Islamic heritage of Sub-Saharan Africa. We will learn how religious and secular buildings have been erected and decorated using local material and how the most significant manuscripts and artworks were produced. An important part of the course will be dedicated to the traditional craftsmanship in the area.
What will we cover?
The imposing mud-brick mosque of Mali and the coral stone buildings of the Swahili Coast will be just two of the several topics we will cover in regards to architecture. We will explore Islamic textiles and the different weaving techniques as well as wood-, metalwork production and jewelry. Works on paper will be also discussed in great detail and a focus will be dedicated to the fascinating history of the lost libraries of Timbuktu and the international effort to save them.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
discuss the arts and artefacts produced in Sub-Saharan Africa;
locate artwork and artefacts in their historical, political, religious, cultural context;
establish skills of critical and visual analysis.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other cost for the course. Please, bring along a notebook, a pencil and your eagerness to learn a lot about Isfahan and its rich heritage.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses from the same tutor about ancient civilisations.
Roberta Marin completed her BA in Fine Arts in Italy and holds an MA in Islamic Art and Archaeology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. She has travelled extensively in the Mediterranean area and her field of interest includes Mamluk art and architecture, the history of Oriental carpets and Modern and Contemporary Art from the Arab world and Iran. She collaborates with the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art and has taught courses on various aspects of Islamic art and architecture in private and public institutions in the United Kingdom, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/islamic-art-and-architecture-in-sub-saharan-africa3001987Islamic art and architecture in Sub-Saharan Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations22851177119111921228511771191<p>In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic art merges with indigenous artistic traditions, thus giving rise to a very distinctive interpretation of art and architecture.</p>003001978Islamic art and architecture in Sub-Saharan Africa6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/ancient-civiliations-city-lit.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRA7316969Islamic art and architecture in Sub-Saharan Africa554569Roberta Marinislamic-art-and-architecture-in-sub-saharan-africa/ra731-2526<p>In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic art merges with indigenous artistic traditions, thus giving rise to a very distinctive interpretation of art and architecture.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>The course will explore the rich Islamic heritage of Sub-Saharan Africa. We will learn how religious and secular buildings have been erected and decorated using local material and how the most significant manuscripts and artworks were produced. An important part of the course will be dedicated to the traditional craftsmanship in the area.</p><p>In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic art merges with indigenous artistic traditions, thus giving rise to a very distinctive interpretation of art and architecture.</p><p>The imposing mud-brick mosque of Mali and the coral stone buildings of the Swahili Coast will be just two of the several topics we will cover in regards to architecture. We will explore Islamic textiles and the different weaving techniques as well as wood-, metalwork production and jewelry. Works on paper will be also discussed in great detail and a focus will be dedicated to the fascinating history of the lost libraries of Timbuktu and the international effort to save them.</p><ul><li>discuss the arts and artefacts produced in Sub-Saharan Africa;</li><li>locate artwork and artefacts in their historical, political, religious, cultural context;</li><li>establish skills of critical and visual analysis. </li></ul><p>No previous knowledge is required.</p><p>PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided.</p><p>No other cost for the course. Please, bring along a notebook, a pencil and your eagerness to learn a lot about Isfahan and its rich heritage.</p><p>Other courses from the same tutor about ancient civilisations.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsvirtual556945RA731NONEFri24/04/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetRoberta MarinBeginnersAvailable courses2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Islamic art and architecture in Sub-Saharan Africaislamic-art-and-architecture-in-sub-saharan-africa/ra731-2526<p>In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic art merges with indigenous artistic traditions, thus giving rise to a very distinctive interpretation of art and architecture.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>The course will explore the rich Islamic heritage of Sub-Saharan Africa. We will learn how religious and secular buildings have been erected and decorated using local material and how the most significant manuscripts and artworks were produced. An important part of the course will be dedicated to the traditional craftsmanship in the area.</p><p>In sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic art merges with indigenous artistic traditions, thus giving rise to a very distinctive interpretation of art and architecture.</p><p>The imposing mud-brick mosque of Mali and the coral stone buildings of the Swahili Coast will be just two of the several topics we will cover in regards to architecture. We will explore Islamic textiles and the different weaving techniques as well as wood-, metalwork production and jewelry. Works on paper will be also discussed in great detail and a focus will be dedicated to the fascinating history of the lost libraries of Timbuktu and the international effort to save them.</p><ul><li>discuss the arts and artefacts produced in Sub-Saharan Africa;</li><li>locate artwork and artefacts in their historical, political, religious, cultural context;</li><li>establish skills of critical and visual analysis. </li></ul><p>No previous knowledge is required.</p><p>PowerPoint presentations with a wide range of slides will accompany the prepared talks. Questioning is welcomed throughout. Handouts with a selected bibliography and other helpful information for further self-study will be provided.</p><p>No other cost for the course. Please, bring along a notebook, a pencil and your eagerness to learn a lot about Isfahan and its rich heritage.</p><p>Other courses from the same tutor about ancient civilisations.</p>Ancient civilisationsAncient civilisationsconfigurable
11921191Ancient civilisationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/ancient-civilisations-11/2/285/1177/1191/11921/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Ancient civilisations
