[A]t the base of a hill overlooking the surrounding sun-drenched West African savannah lies an extraordinary village, a circular 1.2 hectare complex of intricately embellished earthen architecture. It is the residence of the chief, the royal court and the nobility of the Kassena people, who first settled the region in the 15th century.

In Tiébélé, the Cour Royale is made up of a series of small mud brick structures inside a compound, covered with natural clay paints in elaborate geometric patterns to differentiate them from the homes of the common people.

Another report from Olga Stavrakis on TravelwithOlga.com describes her own visit:

It was only through a process of year long negotiations that we were permitted to enter the royal palace.

[W]e were told in advance that we must not wear anything red and we may not carry an umbrella. Only the chiefly noble family is permitted that privilege and to do so would constitute a great affront to our hosts.

This actually reminds me a bit of the libraries of Timbuktu in Mali.

There’s a vast amount of fascinating history in Africa that schools in the West rarely touch on, which is a real pity given the tapestry of knowledge there like the awesome fetish supermarket of Togo.

Photos via Rita Willaert on flickr.
Via Messy Nessy Chic for more photos and the full fantastic article.