The forum discussion centers around a travel blog by Margus and Karina from Estonia, who have journeyed 200,000 km across 85 countries on their BMW motorcycle. The conversation highlights a specific architectural feature in Mali, where wooden poles protrude from buildings, serving as ladders for masons during construction and maintenance. Additionally, a structure identified as a mosque features a loudspeaker for the call to prayer, designed to facilitate access for the muezzin. The discussion also mentions the presence of endemic soil algae that contributes to the hydrophobic properties of mud structures.
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If I remember correctly (it's hard to find the original photo among the 165 pages ) Margus & Karina (the bloggers) didn't know either. But a google search for 'sticks in building walls in africa' turned up this. It's a town hall in Mali, and 'the wooden poles that poke out of the sides of the buildings are used instead of ladders to make it easier for masons to climb up and down the buidings during construction and reconstuction.'berkeman said:
My guess would be that it is a Muslim minaret. The loudspeaker, visible on one wall, would be used for the call to prayer, reducing the need for the muezzin to ascend and descend the structure five times each day.berkeman said: