Wombosa: Gateway to the Swahali Desert

Followers 0

Entry posted by cdn94 · October 11, 2012

943 Views

Located in the middle of the Swahali Desert, Wombosa is a city that has evaded the influence of the Dutch, German and French colonizers. Inhabited primarily by the Sundé tribe (A mainly Muslim group who live primarily in the Swahali Desert. They are believed to be distant descendants of the Bedouin tribe in North Africa) the city is a prime example of indiginous architecture and culture. However, in 1998 the Kuwundan Liberation Forces (Dictator Marcel Antonbasa's personal army) invaded Wombosa in search of oil and in the process severely damaged the city and killed over a thousand Sundé's. After a short battle between the Sundé's and the KLF, Antonbasa forced the Sundé population to construct an oil pipeline and a refinery. However, as Antonbasa's iron rule over the country began to deteriorate he was forced to return to Malako to deal with other issues where he was later assasinated.

Today, Wombosa has been largely rebuilt and a number of laws have been put in place which prevent any modern structures from being built in order to preserve the city's cultural and architectural uniqueness.

Wombosa's ancient walled city

The Al-Harari Mosque, Almost 80% of Sundé's are Muslim

A view of buildings around the city walls. In the upper right is the residence of the Royal Sundé Family. The palace also houses the Musée Swahali (Swahali Museum) which showcases cultural and historical artifacts of the Swahali Region and the Sundé people.

Although over 80% of Sundé's are Muslim, a small minority (10%) are Catholic. The Église de Sainte Anne was built in 1802.

The now abandoned Fort Kwssundé was built in the 1500's to serve as a defensive fort in case of an invasion. However, its walls were no match for the powerful weaponary and manpower of the Kuwundan Liberation Forces

The Sszingawé Oasis was is one of the few sources of fresh water in the Swahali Desert and its existence was the reason why Wombosa was established

A legacy of the Antonbasa era, the Nwasumba Oil Refinery and pipeline has left a scar on the city. However, in recent years a fair trade company has turned the refinery into a source of income for Wombosa and much of the oil it produces is sent via pipeline to Frenchport where it is loaded onto freighters and exported.

In order to house workers, Antonbasa also ordered the construction of prefab apartments like these as well as a hotel (In back) to house foreign businessmen. There are plans to tear down the apartments in order to rebuild traditional Sundé style buildings.