The historic town of Ungwana, near the mouth of the
Tana River, is home to two important mosques that share a curious relationship with the great mosques of
Gedi.
The Friday mosque: expansion and transformation The city's
Friday mosque, originally 17 metres long, featured an ogee arch framing the
mihrab (prayer niche). Decorative coral bosses and the imprint of a lost square plaque (possibly ceramic or marble) adorned the lintel. Archaeological excavations have unearthed ceramic fragments dating to the 14th century, giving an indication of the possible date of the mosque's construction. A significant extension to the east marked the early 15th century for the Friday mosque. This new rectangular section mirrored the length of the original structure but offered slightly more width. The prayer hall was divided into four bays separated by three rows of six square columns. The extension included additional entrances: four to the west provided access to the older section, while two with ogee arches to the east led to an antechamber and rooms flanking the mihrab. A notable feature of this extension is the addition of an octagonal pillar directly opposite the mihrab and a substantial seven-step minbar built against the qibla wall. The back of the minbar had intricate plaster mouldings, and small holes indicated the presence of a former wooden balustrade. These changes, estimated to have occurred between 1400 and 1450, raise intriguing questions about the motivations behind such a significant transformation.
Interesting parallels with Gedi The timing of this expansion of the Friday mosque coincides with the construction of the new
Grand Mosque in Gedi. This synchronicity suggests a possible connection, possibly related to a wider religious or political shift in the region around the mouth of the Tana River and Mida Bay. In particular, the addition of the third column opposite the mihrab may not have been purely functional but may reflect the influence of another Muslim sect within the community.
The second mosque Ungwana boasts a second mosque with a collection of intriguing architectural elements. The northern section of this mosque retains its original teak lintels imported from India, intricately carved with alveolar motifs. The mihrab arch has a unique design, combining an ogee shape with a semicircle at the apex. The structure displays a rich array of decorative elements, including inlaid ceramics on the lintel and tympanum, an architrave decorated with fish bone motifs, and single-block coral columns with inlaid panels. The
apse plan deviates from the norm, with triangular shapes and mouldings. In particular, the mihrab is surmounted by a bulbous dome topped with a ceramic celadon bottle, similar to that of the Fakhr al-Din mosque, instead of a semi-dome. This borrowing of the bulbous dome concept suggests a diffusion of styles across the region. However, its widespread adoption may have been limited by the complex construction techniques required.
Chronology and possibilities for further research The existence and unique features of the second mosque present a fascinating chronological puzzle. Could it be that this 'second' structure was actually Ungwana's first great mosque, built in the 13th century? Perhaps it was later replaced by the larger Friday mosque, built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 15th century. The architectural legacy of Ungwana's mosques, with their intriguing parallels to Gedi and hints of external influences, offers a glimpse into the dynamic artistic and religious landscape of the Swahili coast. Further research, including a more comprehensive analysis of the archaeological data and a comparative study of regional architectural trends, is needed to fully unravel the chronological mysteries and understand the cultural exchanges that shaped these captivating structures. ==District subdivisions==