Many old West African families have safeguarded private libraries for centuries, preserving a rich tradition of learning and scholarship. In Mauritania, the cities of Chinguetti and Oudane collectively house 3,450 handwritten medieval books. Walata, another ancient city, is believed to hold 6,000 more manuscripts, with some dating back to the 8th century. These collections reflect the intellectual and cultural vibrancy of the region, covering topics like law, astronomy, science, and religion.
In Niger, approximately 11,000 books survive in private collections, further demonstrating the scholarly legacy of West Africa. The most renowned collection is in Timbuktu, Mali, which once served as a global center of learning during the Mali and Songhai empires. Today, an estimated 700,000 manuscripts are preserved there, spanning subjects such as history, medicine, and philosophy.
These manuscripts highlight the scholarly achievements of medieval West Africa, challenging the narrative of a purely oral tradition and emphasizing the region’s role in global intellectual history. Their preservation is a testament to the dedication of families and communities who have safeguarded this knowledge for generations.
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