In Timbuktu, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage, the Ahmed Baba Institute is painstakingly preserving ancient manuscripts that hold the secrets of West Africa’s past. The institute’s staff are meticulously photographing and scanning these fragile texts, some of which date back hundreds of years, to safeguard the knowledge they contain. This endeavor is crucial, as many of these manuscripts are the only surviving records of their kind, offering insights into the region’s history, medicine, law, and astronomy.
Thirteen years ago, when al-Qaida-connected fighters invaded the city, the institute’s staff and local families embarked on a daring mission to smuggle tens of thousands of manuscripts to safety in Bamako. Now, after extensive digitization, most of these precious texts have been returned to Timbuktu. Dr. Mohamed Diagayaté, the institute’s general director, emphasizes the significance of these manuscripts, stating that they contain “a lot of historical information about the area… that cannot be found anywhere else.”
The manuscripts, which include medical texts, legal rulings, and astronomical notes, are a testament to the region’s rich scholarly tradition. Some of these texts even record debates on the morality of smoking tobacco and the importance of reducing dowries to enable poorer men to marry. The institute’s staff and local scholars are working tirelessly to catalog, preserve, and teach the next generation about these valuable documents.
However, the preservation of these manuscripts is not without its challenges. Many remain in family libraries across Timbuktu, stored in traditional wooden chests, and some families are struggling financially, raising concerns about the risk of private sales. Sane Chirfi Alpha, a founding member of the local nonprofit organization SAVAMA DCI, notes that “the families that hold the manuscripts are in a difficult situation and receive no support,” making them vulnerable to selling these precious texts.
Despite these challenges, the Ahmed Baba Institute remains committed to its mission. The institute is training new specialists, including 24-year-old Baylaly Mahamane, who aspires to become a manuscript specialist to unlock the secrets of these ancient texts and share his knowledge with others. As the institute continues its work, security remains a concern, with some researchers hesitant to travel to the region due to the presence of armed groups.
As Timbuktu prepares to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, the city’s residents are reminded of the significance of these manuscripts, which are an integral part of their cultural heritage. The institute’s efforts to preserve and digitize these texts are crucial to ensuring that this written record of West African history remains accessible for future generations. With ongoing conservation and training, the Ahmed Baba Institute is working to secure the future of these precious manuscripts, recognizing their importance as a testament to the region’s rich scholarly tradition and cultural fabric.