what were the buildings of Great Mosque stand and Timbuktu houses used for

The buildings of the Great Mosque in Timbuktu were used for religious purposes, including as a place of worship, learning, and social gatherings. The mosque served as a center of Islamic scholarship and culture in the region, attracting scholars, students, and pilgrims from across the Muslim world.

The houses in Timbuktu were primarily used as residential dwellings for the local inhabitants. They were often made of mud bricks and had traditional Sahelian features, such as flat roofs and intricate wooden doors. The houses were also used for storing goods, hosting guests, and as community meeting spaces.