U.S. Helps Preserve Ancient Islamic Manuscripts in Mali

By Laura J. Brown
Washington File Staff Writer

Rare texts from Timbuktu teach conflict resolution

Washington -- With U.S. funding, the Malian government has preserved and translated Islamic manuscripts from Timbuktu written in the 13th and 14th centuries teaching tolerance and conflict resolution. The ancient manuscripts were on display January 10 at the American Cultural Center in Bamako, Mali.

The manuscripts are "an eloquent testimony of the important role Mali played in regional commerce during the periods of the ancient empires," said U.S. Ambassador to Mali Michael E. Ranneberger at the center's "Day of the Book" gathering to celebrate the preservation project.

Timbuktu, located in northern Mali on the bank of the Niger River, was a significant trading post for camel caravans transporting West African gold destined for the courts of Europe and the Mediterranean. By the 14th Century, the city had become a celebrated center of Islamic learning, with local scholars writing books on law, Islam and the Arabic language.

By preserving the Timbuktu manuscripts, "the message of tolerance and conflict resolution will have even greater exposure and relevance in today's world," said Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Patricia S. Harrison.

Among the texts is the writing of Al Hadj Oumar Tall, one of the great scholar-leaders of the Timbuktu region. "Tragedy is due to divergence and because of a lack of tolerance. In the tradition of the Prophet, it is written that those who keep rancor in their hearts will not benefit from divine mercy," he writes. "It is written by the Guide of mankind that he who associates himself with God and kills voluntarily will not be pardoned."

He continues: "Glory be to he who creates greatness from difference and makes peace and reconciliation."

Based upon the Koran, the Timbuktu texts were used by "ambassadors of peace," a corps of Islamic diplomats, or Holy Men, who traveled across Africa en route to Mecca. Many of the texts survived the past hundreds of years in the care of descendants of the original scholars, but in recent years the documents were becoming brittle and unreadable.

The United States contributed funds to preserve the legacy of the Timbuktu manuscripts as part of the Ambassador's Cultural Preservation Fund Project. The U.S. Congress established the fund in 2001 to affirm America's respect for other cultures by supporting heritage preservation in developing countries. U.S. ambassadors in 96 countries submitted proposals, and 61 were awarded grants.

International scholars, including Professor John Hunwick of Northwestern University, have attested to the historical significance of the body of texts as cultural treasures. On loan to the American Cultural Center for public viewing, the ancient manuscripts are part of Mali's national collection at the IHERI-Ahmed Baba Center, as well as the Mamma Haidara Memorial Library, the Kati Foundation, and the Baye de Boud Bjeha collections.