During the annual restoration festival, women converge on the mosque carrying water. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Boys bring mud on donkey carts to the foot of the mosque. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Girls ascend the stairs of the mosque as quickly as they can in order to bring water to mix with mud for the restoration festival. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Men hold heavy ladders enabling others to climb the walls. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Young bricklayers stand on the east wall of the mosque while a bricklayer gives instructions from below. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Young men, balancing on the wall of the mosque, pass bowls of mud during the restoration. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

A bricklayer at work. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

After the work of restoration is completed, older bricklayers check the work. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Decorative bowood protuberances also provide footing for climbing the walls. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Young boys wash themselves after working on the restoration. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Hungry helpers are fed throughout the day. The great mosque of Djenné is considered a masterpiece of traditional adobe architecture. Djenné itself is one of the oldest towns in Africa, and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1988. The re-plastering of the mosque is an annual event. Each year during the rainy season the thin outer layer is washed away, and has to be replaced to protect the building from deterioration.

Science & Technology,3rd prize