Mixed society and African ‘Rococo’

Colonial architecture in Senegal's Saint-Louis Island and Gorée Island reflects a unique blend of French and local Toucouleur influences, diverging from styles seen elsewhere in the French Empire. Unlike other colonial outposts, buildings here incorporated ornamental elements from the Muslim Toucouleur ethnic group, creating a distinct 'African Rococo' aesthetic. This style prevailed during the early phases of French presence but was later supplanted by more uniform colonial designs as territorial colonization progressed. The study highlights how mixed societies shaped architectural evolution in West Africa, contrasting with patterns observed in the Antilles, Pondichéry, or Canada.

Steiner, B. (2020). Mixed society and African ‘Rococo’. Building the French Empire, 1600–1800. https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526143242.00010