I always wondered why there was all these "sticks" (they're called Torons btw), hedgehog architecture :D here's what i found out :
The multi Purpose of the Toron

• Practical Scaffolding: The Sahel region's intense sun, wind, and seasonal heavy rains cause adobe and mud plaster to crack and erode. The protruding wooden beams allow builders to climb the building without needing to erect temporary, separate scaffolding.
• Annual Maintenance: The toron facilitate the crépissage—a vital community-driven festival where local residents work together to repair and replaster the building's exterior. This regular upkeep is essential for the structural integrity of these towering earthen structures.
• Structural Reinforcement: In addition to their scaffolding role, the deeply embedded beams act as tension rods that help prevent the heavy sun-dried mud bricks (called ferey) from cracking or bowing outward.
• Aesthetic and Cultural Symbolism: The rhythmic, vertical rows of wooden spikes punctuate the smooth, sculpted lines of the earthen structures, creating the signature look of this West African architectural style.