The Kasubi Tombs have been listed by the BBC as the first of 12 iconic architectural landmarks.
This follows a report done by BBC news titled, Africa’s iconic architecture in 12 buildings.
According to the BBC, while the pyramids of Egypt are recognized around the world, much of Africa’s architecture remains unknown.
A team has just published the seven-volume Architectural Guide Sub-Saharan African. Their in-depth study encompasses buildings from earlier eras, the colonial period- like the recently renovated railway station (above) built in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, in 1910 – to more modern masterpieces.
The 12 landmarks listed were noted to be the most innovative, iconic, and historic.
Listed at number 1, Kasubi Tombs is introduced as the burial place for the monarchs of the Buganda kingdom.
“Covering hectares of agricultural land in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, the Royal Complex at Kasubi is the burial place of monarchs of the Buganda Kingdom. It was predominantly built from wood and other organic materials. The interior is designed to replicate a sacred forest and is topped with 52 circular rings to represent each of the 52 Buganda clans.
Mukasa who was born in Uganda, visited the tombs for the first time when he was 10 years old. “It was stunning,” he told the BBC. “Not just the scale of it, but the entire grandeur of the building.
It was constructed in the late 19th century before the introduction of modern materials, using traditional centuries-old methods. I felt that the building had a presence. When you were inside it, it dominated you.”
Other landmarks on the list included Lideta market- Ethiopia, Hikmah Complex-Niger, Maropeng Visitors’ centre- South Africa, Pyramids of Meroe- Sudan, Basotho Houses- Lesotho, Kenneth Dike Library- Nigeria, Great Mosque of Djenne- Mali, Palace of Emperor Fasilides- Ethiopia, Dominican Chapel- Nigeria and The Great Mosque- Benin, Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre, South Africa.
