The hidden treasures of Timbuktu - Elizabeth Cox

TED-Ed

22 Oct 202005:35

Summary

TLDRThe video explores the rich history of Timbuktu, once a thriving center of trade and learning in West Africa. Founded around 1100 CE, the city grew wealthy through salt and gold trade and became an intellectual hub during the reign of the Songhai Empire. Timbuktu's ancient manuscripts, covering topics from Islam to science, have faced threats from war, colonization, and environmental challenges. Despite centuries of conflict, local families protected the priceless texts, safeguarding the region's history. Efforts continue to preserve these manuscripts, which remain vital to understanding pre-colonial Africa.

Takeaways

📚 Timbuktu citizens buried their ancient books to protect them, hiding them in the desert and caves.
🏜️ Timbuktu was founded around 1100 CE in present-day Mali as a modest trading post, but its location made it a key trading hub.
💰 By the late 1300s, Timbuktu became wealthy from gold and salt trade, attracting scholars and intellectuals.
👑 The Songhai Empire conquered Timbuktu in 1468, but intellectual life later flourished under King Askia Mohammed Toure.
🕌 Timbuktu's scholars studied both Islam and secular topics like mathematics and philosophy, producing influential works.
✍️ The city's manuscripts, written in Arabic and local languages, were adorned with intricate designs and became highly valuable.
⚔️ Timbuktu's golden age ended abruptly in 1591 when Moroccan forces captured the city and imprisoned scholars.
📖 Despite successive invasions and colonial rule, the literary tradition of Timbuktu survived, with families secretly preserving manuscripts.
🌍 From the 1980s, scholar Abdel Kader Haidara worked to recover hidden manuscripts and protect them from war and environmental threats.
❓ The future of Timbuktu's manuscripts remains uncertain as they face ongoing risks, but they hold essential knowledge about pre-colonial Africa.

Q & A

What was the primary reason citizens of Timbuktu hid their ancient books in the desert?
-The citizens of Timbuktu hid their ancient books in the desert to protect them from warlords, conquerors, and invaders who could destroy or confiscate them, as these manuscripts were considered more valuable than gold.
Why was Timbuktu's location important for its development as a rich and intellectual center?
-Timbuktu's location at the intersection of two major trade routes—one bringing salt across the Sahara and the other bringing gold from the African interior—allowed it to grow wealthy and attract scholars and traders from various regions.
What role did the Mali Empire play in the rise of Timbuktu as a center of learning?
-The rulers of the Mali Empire, after accumulating wealth from trade routes, invested in building monuments and academies, which attracted scholars from places like Egypt, Spain, and Morocco, fostering Timbuktu's development as a center of learning.
How did Askia Mohammed Toure's reign contribute to a 'golden age' in Timbuktu?
-Askia Mohammed Toure reversed the destructive policies of his predecessor and promoted intellectual and cultural growth in Timbuktu, encouraging the study of Islam and secular topics such as mathematics and philosophy.
What types of manuscripts were produced in Timbuktu, and what subjects did they cover?
-The manuscripts produced in Timbuktu covered a wide range of subjects, including Islam, mathematics, philosophy, history, science, and poetry. They were written in Arabic and local languages, adorned with calligraphy and intricate designs.
Who was Ahmed Baba, and what was his significance in Timbuktu’s intellectual culture?
-Ahmed Baba was a prominent scholar in Timbuktu who challenged prevailing ideas on subjects such as smoking and slavery. His works are important in understanding the intellectual and cultural landscape of the city during its golden age.
How did the Moroccan invasion in 1591 affect Timbuktu's intellectual and cultural heritage?
-The Moroccan invasion led to the imprisonment of scholars like Ahmed Baba and the confiscation of their libraries, effectively bringing an abrupt end to Timbuktu's golden age and causing the dispersal or destruction of many valuable manuscripts.
What challenges have Timbuktu's manuscripts faced in recent centuries, and how have they been preserved?
-Timbuktu's manuscripts have faced destruction from conquerors, environmental degradation, and the lack of local knowledge of Arabic due to French colonial education. However, families and scholars secretly preserved them by hiding them in caves, gardens, or secret libraries.
What efforts were made in the 1980s and early 2000s to recover Timbuktu's hidden manuscripts?
-Timbuktu scholar Abdel Kader Haidara worked tirelessly from the 1980s to the early 2000s to retrieve hidden manuscripts from all over northern Mali and return them to Timbuktu, helping preserve these invaluable works of history.
Why are Timbuktu's manuscripts considered so important for understanding pre-colonial African history?
-Timbuktu's manuscripts are among the best and sometimes the only sources of pre-colonial African history. Many contain knowledge that has not been studied by modern scholars, making them crucial for understanding the region's intellectual and cultural past.

Outlines

00:00

🏜️ The Hidden Treasures of Timbuktu

The people of Timbuktu, on the edge of the Sahara Desert, went to great lengths to protect their city's most valuable treasures: ancient manuscripts. As warlords and conquerors repeatedly attacked the city, residents buried these manuscripts in the desert, caves, and secret rooms to safeguard them. Timbuktu, founded around 1100 CE in present-day Mali, was initially a modest trading post. However, its strategic location at the intersection of key trade routes—salt from the Sahara and gold from Africa's interior—transformed it into a prosperous center of commerce and learning. By the late 1300s, the city's wealth attracted scholars and made it a target for invaders, marking the beginning of its fluctuating fortunes.

05:02

🔥 Timbuktu Under Attack and Revival

Timbuktu faced violent attacks, particularly in 1468, when the Songhai king conquered the city, burning buildings and killing scholars. Despite this, intellectual life eventually revived, especially during the reign of Askia Mohammed Toure, the second king of the Songhai Empire. Toure's rule initiated a golden age in Timbuktu, reversing previous policies and fostering a renewed focus on learning. The Muslim scholars of the city studied both Islamic and secular subjects, such as mathematics and philosophy. Timbuktu's libraries housed texts ranging from Greek philosophy to local historical and scientific works, including writings by prominent scholars like Ahmed Baba, who offered progressive views on issues like slavery.

📚 The Intellectual Wealth of Timbuktu

Timbuktu's prosperity from gold and salt trade fueled its transformation into a renowned center of learning. The city's intellectual output, particularly its manuscripts, became highly coveted. These texts, produced by scribes using paper from Venice and local inks, were often adorned with calligraphy and intricate designs. Written in both Arabic and local languages, they covered a wide range of topics and were sought after by the elite. However, this intellectual golden age ended abruptly in 1591 when Moroccan forces captured Timbuktu, imprisoning scholars like Ahmed Baba and confiscating their libraries, signaling the city's decline.

⏳ The Long Struggle to Preserve Timbuktu's Manuscripts

For centuries following the Moroccan conquest, Timbuktu endured successive occupations. Sufi Jihadists in the mid-1800s and later French colonial forces in 1894 destroyed or looted many manuscripts. As French became the dominant language in schools, younger generations lost the ability to read the Arabic texts. Despite this, the manuscripts were not forgotten; they were hidden and preserved by families in secret locations, including homes, caves, and desert holes. Though the region faced poverty and war, residents guarded these treasures, recognizing their immense historical value and holding onto them through generations.

🚨 Modern Efforts to Save Timbuktu's Manuscripts

In recent times, the struggle to protect Timbuktu’s manuscripts has intensified. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, Timbuktu scholar Abdel Kader Haidara spearheaded efforts to recover manuscripts from across northern Mali. However, the 2012 civil war once again endangered these priceless documents, leading to their evacuation to Bamako. These manuscripts, which are among the few remaining sources on pre-colonial West African history, face ongoing threats from both conflict and environmental factors. Many of these ancient texts have yet to be studied, and others remain hidden, representing a rich but fragile legacy.

🛡️ The Enduring Fight to Protect History

The ongoing efforts to protect Timbuktu’s manuscripts are a testament to the determination of countless generations to preserve their history. Despite centuries of conquest, destruction, and neglect, the manuscripts survived, thanks to the resilience of the people who understood their importance. The survival of these texts is crucial not only for preserving the knowledge they contain but also as a reminder of the rich intellectual heritage of the region, much of which remains unexplored by modern scholars.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Timbuktu

Timbuktu is a historic city in what is now Mali, founded around 1100 CE. It started as a trading post but became an important center of learning and commerce due to its strategic location at the intersection of two vital trade routes. Timbuktu's prominence as a hub of Islamic scholarship and its rich intellectual culture are key themes in the video.

💡Mali Empire

The Mali Empire, which ruled Timbuktu at its height, was one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires in West Africa. Its rulers, particularly during the empire's peak in the 1300s, were responsible for developing Timbuktu into a center for commerce and learning. This empire's decline set the stage for Timbuktu's later conquests and challenges.

💡Trade Routes

The trade routes that intersected at Timbuktu were critical to its wealth and growth. These routes connected the Sahara, where salt was traded, with the African interior, known for its gold. The exchange of goods via these routes not only enriched Timbuktu but also facilitated the cultural and intellectual exchanges that defined the city.

💡Manuscripts

The ancient books and manuscripts of Timbuktu, considered more valuable than gold, form the heart of the city's intellectual legacy. These manuscripts cover a wide range of subjects, from Islamic teachings to secular topics such as mathematics and philosophy, representing centuries of knowledge. Protecting these books from various threats is a central concern in the narrative.

💡Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire succeeded the Mali Empire and played a significant role in Timbuktu’s history. After conquering Timbuktu in 1468, the Songhai king's initial attack led to the destruction of parts of the city. However, the empire's second king, Askia Mohammed Toure, reversed these policies and ushered in a golden age of intellectual and cultural flourishing in the city.

💡Golden Age

Timbuktu's golden age refers to the period of intellectual and cultural prosperity under the rule of Askia Mohammed Toure of the Songhai Empire. During this time, scholars studied a variety of topics, from Islamic theology to secular sciences. This era also saw the production of many valuable manuscripts that are integral to the city's legacy.

💡Ahmed Baba

Ahmed Baba was one of Timbuktu’s most prominent scholars during its golden age. Known for his intellectual contributions, he challenged popular opinions on various issues such as slavery. His arrest and the confiscation of his library during the Moroccan invasion symbolize the loss of Timbuktu's scholarly independence.

💡Moroccan Invasion

In 1591, the Moroccan king captured Timbuktu, bringing an abrupt end to the city's golden age. Moroccan forces imprisoned key scholars, including Ahmed Baba, and confiscated many manuscripts. This invasion marked the beginning of a period of decline for the city's intellectual and cultural life, which was further worsened by subsequent conquests.

💡Abdel Kader Haidara

Abdel Kader Haidara is a modern-day scholar from Timbuktu who played a crucial role in recovering the city’s hidden manuscripts. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, he worked to bring these valuable books back to Timbuktu, safeguarding them from environmental and human threats. His efforts highlight the ongoing struggle to preserve the city’s intellectual heritage.

💡Civil War (2012)

The civil war in Mali in 2012 once again endangered Timbuktu’s manuscripts, prompting an evacuation of many of them to nearby Bamako. The video stresses that, even in modern times, Timbuktu's rich literary and intellectual legacy continues to face threats from conflict and instability, emphasizing the fragility of this cultural heritage.

Highlights

Citizens of Timbuktu buried ancient books in the desert to protect them from destruction.

Timbuktu, founded around 1100 CE in Mali, began as an unremarkable trading post but grew due to its strategic location.

Timbuktu became a wealthy center of trade by the late 1300s, with caravans exchanging salt from the Sahara and gold from the African interior.

The Mali Empire rulers built monuments and academies, attracting scholars from Egypt, Spain, and Morocco.

Timbuktu became a target for conquerors, and in 1468, the Songhai king burned buildings and killed scholars.

Askia Mohammed Toure's reign marked a golden age in Timbuktu, where intellectual life flourished and learning was encouraged.

Timbuktu scholars studied a wide range of subjects, including Islam, mathematics, philosophy, and Greek philosophy.

The city's libraries contained diverse works, including texts from local historians, scientists, and poets.

The scholar Ahmed Baba contributed to discussions on topics like smoking and slavery, challenging prevailing opinions.

Timbuktu’s scribes produced beautifully decorated manuscripts, written in both Arabic and local languages, which became highly sought-after commodities.

In 1591, the Moroccan king captured Timbuktu, imprisoning scholars and confiscating their libraries, marking the end of the city's golden age.

Timbuktu’s manuscripts survived various conquests by being hidden in secret locations, including homes, gardens, and caves.

In the mid-1800s, Sufi Jihadists destroyed non-religious manuscripts, and French colonial forces looted more manuscripts in 1894.

Many generations could no longer read the Arabic manuscripts after French became the official language of schools in Timbuktu.

In recent decades, efforts have been made to retrieve the hidden manuscripts, but the manuscripts continue to face threats from war and environmental factors.