Original architecture
The most astonishing evidence of prehistory in Djibouti are the tumuli or aowelos ("piles of stones assembled by the ancestors") found in large numbers near the towns of Randa and Dasbyo. These stone structures bear witness to highly elaborate funeral rites and an already highly hierarchical society. The tombs of high dignitaries are surmounted by imposing tumuli housing the deceased's most prized possessions. Flat in the Plains region, or pyramidal in the mountains, these tumuli, set in the center of stone circles 2 to 3 m high and 30 m wide on average, impress with the solidity of their deep-black volcanic stones. The oldest of these date back to around 3,000 BC. The Paleolithic site of Handoga, meanwhile, reveals the foundations of small stone huts indicating that it was probably a staging village for nomadic peoples. The Neolithic site of Asa Koma features circular pits surmounted by small cairns of basalt blocks, where rich ornaments and ceramics were found. All these sites have yet to reveal all the secrets of the pastoral civilizations to which nomadic peoples are now heirs, such as the Afar, who developed a lightweight dwelling easily transported by camel: the daboyta, a tent structure made of hoops and palm wood mats covered with tanned skins. Hemispherical or elliptical, these tents are on average 2 m high and 4.50 m wide. According to tradition, women are responsible for erecting and dismantling this ingenious semi-permanent dwelling. The tukul, on the other hand, is a permanent dwelling in the form of a circular, wooden-framed hut with a conical thatched roof. This type of housing developed with the arrival of populations from Ethiopia.
Colonial heritage
With the exception of Tadjourah, whose tangle of white houses still bears the charm of centuries gone by, the country's towns all developed under colonial impetus from the late 19th century onwards. Djibouti-Ville is the most obvious example. The city center follows a checkerboard pattern, with long streets lined with perfectly aligned buildings, and different neighborhoods built around large squares. The Place du 27 Juin (Place Ménélik) is home to all the major administrative offices, while the Place Mahamoud Harbi, watched over by the white and green minaret of the great mosque, hosts the market. A major irrigation project was also carried out from the Ambouli wadi to provide the town with green spaces. Functional, the town is gradually developing around three poles: the administrative pole on the Plateau de Djibouti, the economic pole on the Plateau du Marabout and the residential area on the Plateau du Serpent. The colonial buildings, with their thick walls and wide openings, can be recognized by their silhouettes fashioned from local materials (coral, black volcanic rock, limestone), such as the Chaumière, a former meeting place for civil servants. Perfectly adapted to climatic constraints (raised ceilings to avoid humidity, open galleries for ventilation, louvers to protect from the sun), colonial architecture is very cosmopolitan. The neo-Moorish style, with its elaborate arcatures and arcaded galleries (Presidential Palace in Djibouti-Ville, former governor's residence in Obock), is sometimes adorned with the sobriety and elegance of Yemeni architecture or the abundance of Indian decoration. The colonial heritage can also be seen in the railway infrastructure. The metal structure of the capital's first station was built entirely in the Eiffel workshops. Another architectural feat is the HolHol viaduct, whose imposing metal silhouette rises 29 m into the air. In Ali-Sabieh, the railway infrastructure is inextricably linked with the military infrastructure, as the city grew up around a station protecting the railway line. Forts and casemates also bear witness to this era.
Contemporary effervescence
From the 1960s onwards, a massive rural exodus led to exponential and anarchic growth in the capital, giving rise to the shantytown of Balbala. Such was its growth that in the 1980s it officially became a district of the city. At the same time, the city continued to develop its port and industrial infrastructures, while creating new districts, such as the Haramous district, not far from the airport, whose grandiose villas surrounded by high concrete walls line avenues designed to the last detail. A striking contrast with the working-class districts. Since the 2000s, the government has set itself three objectives: to rationalize urban development, preserve heritage and beautify the city. In the city center, the aim is to avoid buildings of more than 10 storeys, while the corniche, opposite the old port, is being rehabilitated. Today, Djibouti has become the object of much covetousness, with an influx of foreign capital financing pharaonic projects. The capital's historic port is being transformed by luxury hotels and marinas reminiscent of Dubai, while the city center is now home to gigantic malls with Middle Eastern influences, as well as the country's largest mosque. Ottoman-inspired, with its two 46 m minarets and 27 m dome, the Abdulhamid II Mosque is a gift... from Turkey. In 2020, Russian architect Alex Wizhevsky unveiled his skyscraper project: the 243 m-high Djibouti Towers, whose silhouettes evoke traditional swords. Human-scale projects also saw the light of day, such as the Children's Village designed by Urko Sanchez Architects in Tadjourah. Praised for its environmental qualities, this village takes its inspiration from traditional medinas, while offering wide open spaces, respecting the nomadic tradition and preserving Djibouti's identity and authenticity.
