The Meanings of Timbuktu

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Author:

Shamil Jeppie, Souleymane Bachir Diagne (eds)

Subject:

Humanities, Social Sciences

Institution Name:

University of Cape Town

Collection:

University of Cape Town

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

This volume authored by leading international scholars begin s to sketch the meaning of Timbuktu within the context of the intellectual history of West Africa in particular and of the African continent in general The book covers four broad areas Part I provides an introduction to the region outlines what archaeology can tell us of its history examines the paper and various calligraphic styles used in the manuscripts and explains how ancient institutions of scholarship functioned Part II begins to analyse what the manuscripts can tell us of African history Part III offers insight into the lives and works of just a few of the many scholars who achieved renown in the region and beyond Part IV provides a glimpse into Timbuktus libraries and private collections Part V looks at the written legacy of the eastern half of Africa which like that of the western region is often ignored. In a joint project between South Africa and Mali a library to preserve more than 200 000 Arabic and West African manuscripts dating from the 13th to the 19th centuries is currently under construction It is the first official cultural project of the New Partnership for Africas Development Nepad the socioeconomic development plan of the African Union and when the library is built the cultural role of Timbuktu be revived as it becomes the safe haven for the treasured manuscripts The manuscripts prove that Africa had a rich legacy of written history long before western colonisers set foot on the continent

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Readings

Media Format:

Downloadable docs

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5