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Clean Slate
Photograph by
Sarah Leen
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A student smooths a fresh wash of mud and water over a wooden tablet so that it can be used by pupils copying verses from the Koran. Islam came to Djénné via Arab merchants shortly after the city’s founding. One account says that in the 13th century Djénné’s ruler converted in the presence of 4,200 Muslim holy men who were already living in the city. He tore down his palace and built a predecessor of today’s Great Mosque. Djénné became a center of Islam, with scores of small Koranic schools that spread the faith to the surrounding region.
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Camera:
Nikon F100
Film Type:
Fujichrome Velvia 50
Lens:
Nikkor 24mm
Speed and F-Stop:
Unrecorded
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Weather Conditions:
Indoors
Time of Day:
Early morning
Lighting Techniques:
Available light
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