Larabanga Mosque

Larabanga Mosque is a small, earthen (adobe) mosque in the village of Larabanga in northern Ghana, noted for its Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. It is traditionally dated to the 15th century and is regarded as one of the oldest mosques in Ghana.

The mosque’s defining features are buttressed mud walls, timber beams that project through the façades, and pyramidal towers at the corners, all typical of Sahelian mosque architecture. It remains an active place of worship and a pilgrimage site for some local Muslims.

Local tradition attributes the mosque’s foundation to early Islamic communities in the region; the building has undergone periodic restoration to repair wind and rain damage while preserving traditional construction techniques.

Larabanga lies near the town of Damongo and close to Mole National Park in Ghana’s Savannah Region, making it a common side visit for travellers heading to northern wildlife areas.

• Age note: Traditional date is often given as the 15th century, making it one of West Africa's oldest mosques; the exact original construction date is part of local oral history.
• Construction method: Built and maintained in the Sudano-Sahelian mud-brick style, conservation work uses traditional materials and periodic re-plastering to preserve the earthen structure.