The Meanings of Timbuktu
- ISBN-10
- 0796922047
- ISBN-13
- 9780796922045
- Category
- History / Africa / West
- Pages
- 375
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2008
- Publisher
- HSRC Press
- Authors
- Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Shamil Jeppie
Description
Salt comes from the north, gold from the south, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Timbuktu." 15th-century Malian proverb. 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 Africa's Development (Nepad), the socio-economic development plan of the African Union, and when the library is built, the cultural role of Timbuktu will be revived, as it becomes the safehaven 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. This volume, authored by leading international scholars, begins 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 Timbuktu's 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. A fascinating read for anyone who wishes to gain an understanding of the aura of mystique and legend that surrounds Timbuktu. The Meanings of Timbuktu strives to contextualise and clarify the importance of efforts to preserve Timbuktu's manuscripts for Mali, for Africa and for the intellectual world."--Abstract
Get the book
Similar books
-
塞内加尔的文化风俗
By ［美］埃里克·斯坦利·罗斯倾盆大雨过后,达喀尔的街道变成了臭气熏天的泥潭,青年人认识到政府力量是不能完成清扫任务的,于是他们自己承担起清扫任务。 ... 青年人创写的壁画都是关于腐败、健康、教育、邻里关系等社会和政治主题的,他们还颂扬偶像英雄人物,墙上不但画有切·格瓦拉, ...
-
History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens; Together...
By George Washington WilliamsHistory of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens; Together...
-
Liberian History Before 1857: A Reference for Elementary Pupils
By Joseph Saye GuannuDiscusses the history of Liberia from prehistoric times to 1857, the year Maryland, an independent African state, joined the Republic.
-
Modern Marriage in Sierra Leone: A Study of the Professional Group
By Barbara E. Harrell-BondModern Marriage in Sierra Leone: A Study of the Professional Group
-
Colonial Meltdown: Northern Nigeria in the Great Depression
By Moses E. OchonuHistorians of colonial Africa have largely regarded the decade of the Great Depression as a period of intense exploitation and colonial inactivity. In Colonial Meltdown, Moses E. Ochonu challenges this...
-
The Door of No Return: The History of Cape Coast Castle and the Atlantic Slave Trade
By William St. ClairThe grim history of the slave trade from Africa is one that has had an impact on generations of people all over the world. While much of the initial voyage...
-
The Trouble with Nigeria
By Chinua AchebeThe eminent African novelist and critic, here addresses Nigeria's problems, aiming to challenge the resignation of Nigerians and inspire them to reject old habits which inhibit Nigeria from becoming a...
-
A New History of Sierra Leone
By Joe A. D. AlieDuring the colonial era very little thought was given to the promotion of African history and culture in African educational institutions. Most colonial educationalists stubbornly refused to appreciate that Africa...
-
Ghana: Understanding the People and Their Culture
By John Kuada, Yao ChachahThere is little written by Ghanaians to help foreigners understand their culturally prescribed rules of behaviour. This fascinating book offers an introduction to the Ghanaian people and is of use...
-
Civil Wars, Child Soldiers and Post Conflict Peace Building in West Africa
By Amadu SesayA study of conflict and post conflict reconstruction in West Africa discussing issues such as child soldiers, the dynamics of civil war, state and social disintegration, and multilateral agencies and...