The ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu, a treasure trove of African knowledge and history, are making their way back to the renowned Ahmed Baba Library after being smuggled out to safety during the occupation by Al Qaeda-linked militants. These manuscripts, dating back to the 13th century, hold significant writings on various subjects, including astronomy, medicine, and mathematics.
Abdel Kader Haidara, the founder of the Mamma Haidara Library in Timbuktu, played a crucial role in rescuing over 300,000 manuscripts from the Ahmed Baba Library. Haidara described the painstaking process of saving the manuscripts, saying, “We had to work in secret, moving the manuscripts out of the city under the cover of night, to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.”
The manuscripts were hidden away in various locations around Bamako, the capital of Mali, to protect them from the militants who had taken control of Timbuktu in 2012. According to Haidara, the militants sought to destroy the manuscripts, viewing them as un-Islamic. “They wanted to burn them, to destroy them,” Haidara recalled.
The return of the manuscripts marks a significant moment for the people of Timbuktu and Mali. “The manuscripts are not just a part of our history, they are a part of our identity,” said Dr. Shamil Jeppie, a scholar of the manuscripts. “Their return is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Timbuktu to preserve their cultural heritage.”
The preservation and digitization of the manuscripts are ongoing, with efforts being made to make them accessible to researchers and scholars worldwide. The return of the manuscripts to Timbuktu is a symbol of hope and a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Africa.