Timbuktu: Ancient Manuscripts
in Danger of Extinction
May 20, 2013 marks the launch of global fund-raiser, T160K: Timbuktu Libraries in Exile.
A far cry from the fabled ends of the earth, Timbuktu, a small, northern enclave in the West African nation of
Mali, is at the heart of a modern-day quest: to save the city’s many ancient libraries from destruction. Action
must be taken immediately to preserve these ancient writings.
“We saw the power of these libraries when people from all walks
of life... gave their time and effort, even under considerable risk, to
help us evacuate them to the South. ”
Last year, after more than seven centuries in generational homes of dedicated safe-keepers, this collection of
over 300,000 medieval manuscripts was suddenly caught in the middle of an ideological, territorial war. At great
urgency and peril, a team of local stakeholders led by Abdel Kader Haidra and Dr. Stephanie Diakité conspired to
rescue their beloved treasure.
This group of brave librarians, couriers and local Mali citizens risked everything to smuggle over 1,000 trunks of
manuscripts by donkey cart, bicycle, on backs, and in boats, out of the city to new hideaways in other parts of the
country. Not one document, not one person was lost during the evacuation.
Now that they are safely re-located away from the Sahara, the libraries have new enemies: humidity and tight
quarters. This fatal combination could lead to devastation by mold and mildew. Most of these documents are
made of rag paper and unstable inks, too fragile, even, to endure scanning digitization. The most immediate need
is to re-package them in archival materials, index and re-secure them in their temporary sanctuaries. When it is
again safe, they will be returned to their original guardians in Timbuktu.
Though the libraries are now secure from certain destruction by combatants in the war in Mali, a massive undertaking is required to prevent these exiled manuscripts from self-destructing. $7 million is needed to procure
archival and storage materials and the labor necessary to preserve this priceless cultural heritage.
According to Dr. Diakité, “We saw the power of these
libraries when people from all walks of life, whole villages,
and speakers of every language in the region gave their
time and effort, even under considerable risk, to help
us evacuate them to the South. We believe that securing
these manuscripts is a positive step towards a process of
enduring peace and a reduced toll of human misery for
this entire region.”
The rainy season is upon us. Every day counts.
For further information, contact these resources:
For all Media inqueries / interview requests please contact:
Danielle Chiero - Public Relations
e: [email protected]
p: 360 878 9761