Documentation of Traditional Mosque Architecture in Zaria, Kaduna State

The traditional mosque architecture of Zaria represents a significant strand of Hausa-Fulani Islamic architectural heritage, characterised by distinctive mud construction methods, projecting timber rafia poles, and geometric surface ornamentation that have evolved over centuries of religious and cultural practice. This study documents the traditional mosque architecture in the Zaria Old City, focusing on six historical mosques of varying scales and dates within the Birni wall. Documentation employed measured drawings prepared through tape survey and photographic recording, supplemented by oral history interviews with ten custodians and imams who hold generational knowledge of construction traditions. Architectural elements documented include plan configuration, qibla orientation, minaret form, entrance portal design, prayer hall column arrangements, surface decoration motifs, and environmental control features such as ventilation openings. Analysis reveals a consistent organisational grammar across all six mosques, characterised by a central nave oriented toward Mecca, lateral aisles defined by circular mud columns, and a distinctive portal form derived from the Sudano-Sahelian tradition. All six mosques demonstrate sophisticated passive cooling strategies including thick mud walls, deeply recessed openings, and raised floor levels that collectively maintain interior temperatures within comfortable ranges during peak summer heat. Ongoing maintenance challenges include surface render deterioration following Harmattan erosion and the inappropriate use of cement-based patching over original earth plaster. The study advocates for a heritage conservation management plan for the Zaria historic mosque ensemble and recommends that documentation findings inform architectural conservation training at Ahmadu Bello University. Keywords: traditional mosque architecture, Zaria, Hausa-Fulani heritage, mud construction, Islamic architecture.