Facade of a traditional earth building. Mopti, Mali

"A complicated system of entrances prohibited a direct view on the courtyard from the public area. The symmetrical facade was soberly decorated. The left and right side were marked with pillars, which ended with a phallic element. The central part of the facade was a well-balanced composition of the entrance, the windows, pilasters and a frieze with phallic elements. This monumental facade indicated the status and position of the man as ther head of the extended family." [Maas P., 1997: Savanna Grasslands. Encyclopedia of Vernacular architecture of the world. Cambridge University Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.