• Framed historical Alkebu-Lan 1270 AH (1853 AD) map poster displayed on a sage green wall, featuring a circular magnifying detail of the Niger Delta, Igboland, Onịcha, Kingdom of Édó (Benin Empire), Urhobo, Ijaw (Ijo) territories, Tiv, and Lafia in West Africa by artist Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Full view of the framed Alkebu-Lan 1270 AH pre-colonial African continent map print hanging in the artist Nikolaj Jesper Cyon's bedroom, styled alongside his handmade ceramic art sculptures available in the shop and books featuring his cartographic work.
  • Close-up of the title cartouche reading Iwo-Oorun Alkebu-Lan 1270 AH (1853 AD) with artist monogram NJC 2023, Bwa sun mask border patterns, and a unique compass rose using Nsibidi symbols (desert for North, ocean for South, sunrise for East, sunset for West), alongside cartography of Kanem-Bornu, Damagaram, Zinder, and Agadez by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Detailed view of Bioko Island titled Ëtulá a Ëri in the Gulf of Guinea, highlighting the kingdom of Bubi, King Möókáta (King Moka), anti-colonial leader, alongside the Sawa kingdom, coastal settlements Bimbia, Luba, and Mëlaka, and Oron on matte paper print by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Detailed Senegambia cartography on the Alkebu-Lan map showing the Wolof Empire, Fuuta Tooro, Fulani jihad states, and N'Gabu (Kaabu). Highlights the fishing villages of Ndakaaru and Joff (Lebou Republic) that later merged into modern Dakar, as well as the nine historic Mandinka Mande kingdoms (including Kombo, Niani, Wuli, Baddibu, and Kantora) painstakingly mapped along the Gambia River, all framed by traditional geometric corner borders by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Macro photograph showing the Bidyogo archipelago (Bijagós Islands) and the mainland coastline on the Alkebu-Lan map print. Features island kingdoms including Bubake and Injante alongside coastal realms such as Biafada and Papel, with its royal capital N'nssassun (today known as Bissau), printed on textured paper by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Macro photograph showing the Dagbaŋ realm and surrounding territories on the Alkebu-Lan map print, situated across modern Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Features historic trade hubs like Salaga, Yendi [Naya], Tamale, and Bimbilla—key meeting points for Dyula merchants trading kola nuts, gold, salt and other goods, as well as cultural crossroads between Gurunsi, Dagomba, and Ashanti spheres. Printed on textured paper by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Macro photograph showing the Niger River bend and Sahel region on the Alkebu-Lan map print, covering modern Mali and Burkina Faso. Features Maasina, Gawgaw [Gao], Mossi realms like Wagadugu, Tuareg territories, and the Inland Niger Delta. Here, the prime meridian (0°) runs through Timbuktu and the Sankore University instead of Greenwich/Oxford in our world. Below, the decorative border includes an Adinkra Sankofa bird symbol dropping its egg, printed on textured paper by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Detailed macro photograph of Yorubaland in southwestern Nigeria on the Alkebu-Lan map print. Captures the spiritual center of Ilé-Ifẹ̀, world-renowned for its 12th–15th century naturalistic bronze, brass, and terracotta sculptures; Ìbàdàn, the military stronghold of the 19th-century Kiriji War (1877–1893); and Òyọ́ Àjàká, the relocated capital of the cavalry-powered Oyo Empire following the fall of Oyo-Ilé. Also features key Yoruba kingdoms, city-states, and regional centers including Òṣogbo, Ìlorin, Ìjeṣà,
  • Detailed macro photograph of the Niger Delta and southeastern Nigeria on the Alkebu-Lan map print. Highlights the ancient Kingdom of Nri (spiritual heart of Igbo culture and origin of Things Fall Apart setting) and Ẹ̀dó [Benin City], famed for the Benin Bronzes. Features the Aro Confederacy (Omu Aro) trade realm, Warri [Iwerre], Itsekiri, and coastal Ijaw/Ijo kingdoms such as Ibani-Ijo (Bonny Kingdom, ruled by warrior Queen Kambasa) and Nembe-Ijo. Also depicts Urhobo, Mbon Ibibio, Efik, and the palm oil and
  • Large overview of western Alkebu-Lan map print (1270 AH). Spans West and Central Africa: Hausa-Fulani, Tuareg, Kanem-Bornu (Lake Chad), Yoruba, Igbo, Fang, and Beti realms. Highlights Gulf of Guinea coasts, Kongo-influenced Wene wa Lwangu and Téké-Tio, and Niger River trade. Features alternate-history Gulf islands settled by seafaring Ndowe (Benga) people with towns named after rulers like King Bonkoro. Printed on fine textured paper by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Large overview of western Alkebu-Lan map print (1270 AH). Spans Senegambia, Wolof, Fuuta Tooro, Trarza, Brakna, Kaarta, and Kru coasts to Asanteman. Features the Mande heartland—home of Sundiata Keita (Mali Empire founder)—alongside successor realms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Highlights trade routes across the Niger River, Maasina, and Tuareg territories. Printed on fine textured paper by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon.
  • Three-panel photo highlighting Nikolaj Jesper Cyon’s Alkebu-Lan map project, featured in numerous exhibitions and academic books on African history and art. Displays "Untie to Tie" (ifa/bpb), focusing on colonial contexts in education, alongside "Making Africa" (Vitra Design Museum), exploring contemporary continental design. Photo by Nikolaj Jesper Cyon
  • Four-panel photograph showing the secure packaging and included documentation for the Alkebu-Lan map print. Features the heavy-duty shipping tube lined with protective tissue paper, alongside the signed certificate of authenticity by artist Nikolaj Jesper Cyon, map legend, historical background sheet, and Adinkra symbol key. Printed on fine art paper.
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Nikolaj Cyon

Alkebu-lan 1270 AH (West Africa) – 100x70 cm Historical Fine Art Map Poster

Alkebu-lan 1270 AH (West Africa) – 100x70 cm Historical Fine Art Map Poster

500 SEK
1,100 SEK 500 SEK
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A signed, limited edition fine art poster depicting a re-imagination of West Africa in the 1850s, unaffected by colonialism.

Printed in a standard 100 × 70 cm poster size on 200 g/m² thick matte art paper.

Oriented with South upwards, featuring Nsibidi symbols for Water (south), Desert (north), Sunrise (east), and Sunset (west). The Prime Meridian (0°) passes through Timbuktu and the Sankoré University rather than Greenwich, complemented by traditional Akan Adinkra symbols like the Sankofa bird along the decorative border.

This is an updated and expanded focus map based on the alternative history project "Alkebu-lan 1260 AH" created in 2011. Developed through more than two years of additional historical research, this map details over 230 kingdoms, emirates, caliphates, and chiefdoms, alongside nearly 1,000 cities, towns, and geographical features. Each region is decorated with intricate patterns inspired by West African textiles and sculptures, offering a unique vision of the diversity and rich history of the area.

Includes:

  • Signed Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist.

  • Map Legend & Symbol Guide: Details city population markers, geographical features, and traditional symbols used in the artwork.

  • Historical Background Sheet: Deepens the context behind the 1270 AH alternate history concept.

  • Secure Packaging: Shipped safely rolled in protective tissue paper inside a heavy-duty shipping tube.

Exhibitions & Publications: Nikolaj Jesper Cyon’s Alkebu-Lan mapping project has been featured in major international exhibitions, museum tours, and academic publications on African history, art, and design. The artwork was part of the renowned world-touring exhibition Making Africa – A Continent of Contemporary Design, hosted by premier institutions including the Vitra Design Museum (Germany), Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Spain), Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), Kunsthal Rotterdam (Netherlands), and the Blanton Museum of Art (USA). It is also published in the educational art volume Untie to Tie: Colonial Fragments in School Contexts (ifa/bpb).


»Iwọ̀-Oòrùn Alkebu-lan 1270AH«

2026

Nikolaj Jesper Cyon

Material: Offset print on 200 g/m² matte art paper.

Dimensions: 100 × 70 cm

Bundled offer: Receive 25% off automatically at checkout when purchasing two or more maps.

Read more about it here.

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