The Central Mosque, seen from across the river, Goundam, Mali

"Another twentieth century development from the traditional Sudanese style is exemplified in the Central Mosque at Goundham, about 50 miles southwest of Timbuktu (Tombouctou) and Tendirma. Reputedly designed by a French army engineer, it was built in 1943 by local craftsmen under the aegis of the master mason Sekou Bokari. Although no stone is used, the construction is massive, partly due to the paucity of suitable building materials locally." [Frishman M. and Khan H.-U., 1994: The Mosque. Thames and London Ltd.]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17,1970.