Timbuktu’s famed manuscripts return home after 13 years in Mali’s capital
Summary
Historic manuscripts from Timbuktu, which were taken to Mali's capital for safety in 2012, are being returned to their original city by the Malian government. This collection of documents was moved to protect them from destruction by militants and consists of over 27,000 manuscripts, some from the 13th century. The return is meant to safeguard these cultural artifacts from Bamako's humidity.Key Facts
- The Malian government is returning Timbuktu's historic manuscripts to their original home after 13 years.
- In 2012, militants associated with al-Qaida occupied Timbuktu and destroyed over 4,000 manuscripts.
- Local custodians saved over 27,000 manuscripts by moving them out of Timbuktu in various ways like using donkey carts and motorcycles.
- The first group of manuscripts was transported by plane to Timbuktu from Bamako and included over 200 crates weighing about 5.5 tons.
- Timbuktu, positioned on the Sahara Desert's edge, has a dry climate suitable for preserving these documents.
- The manuscripts cover topics like Islamic theology, astronomy, medicine, and history, highlighting Mali's cultural heritage.
- The Malian government aims to protect, digitize, and study these manuscripts as part of their cultural legacy.
- The safety situation in Mali remains unsettled due to ongoing militant activities, despite government control over Timbuktu.
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