The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu and Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts

1. Timbuktu's manuscripts: A hidden treasure of Islamic scholarship

"Salt comes from the north, gold from the south, and silver from the country of the white men, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Timbuctoo."

A center of learning. Timbuktu, once a thriving center of Islamic scholarship, housed hundreds of thousands of manuscripts dating back to the 13th century. These works covered a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and poetry, showcasing the intellectual prowess of African scholars during the Islamic Golden Age.

Preservation through centuries. Despite numerous threats, including colonialism, environmental factors, and religious extremism, many of these manuscripts survived due to the efforts of local families who hid and protected them. The manuscripts represented not only a treasure trove of knowledge but also a testament to Africa's rich intellectual history, challenging Western perceptions of the continent as lacking in written tradition.

2. Abdel Kader Haidara: The unlikely hero of Mali's literary heritage

"I had so many worries. They had entrusted everything to me. And if anything happened to their manuscripts, it would all be on my head."

A family legacy. Abdel Kader Haidara inherited his father's manuscript collection at the age of 17, initially reluctant to take on the responsibility. However, he soon developed a deep passion for preserving and expanding the collection, becoming a leading figure in the effort to protect Timbuktu's literary heritage.

From collector to savior. Haidara's journey took him from a manuscript collector to the organizer of a daring rescue mission. His work involved:

• Establishing the Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library
• Creating a network of librarians and manuscript owners
• Securing funding from international organizations
• Developing preservation and digitization techniques

3. The rise of Islamic extremism in Mali and the threat to cultural artifacts

"We do not want Satan's music. In its place there will be Koranic verses. Shariah demands this. We must do what God commands."

A growing threat. The rise of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist groups in northern Mali posed a severe threat to the region's cultural heritage. These groups imposed strict interpretations of Islamic law, banning music, destroying Sufi shrines, and threatening the existence of Timbuktu's manuscripts.

Cultural destruction. The extremists' actions included:

• Demolishing Sufi tombs and mosques
• Banning traditional music and festivals
• Imposing harsh punishments for perceived violations of Shariah law
• Burning thousands of manuscripts at the Ahmed Baba Institute

4. Operation Serval: France's intervention to combat jihadists in Mali

"We have to seize this valley in one week to ten days, or the battle is lost."

Swift action. In January 2013, France launched Operation Serval to prevent the fall of Mali to jihadist forces. The intervention was characterized by:

• Rapid deployment of French troops and air support
• Coordination with Malian and other African forces
• Strategic targeting of key jihadist strongholds

A turning point. The French intervention successfully halted the jihadist advance and recaptured major cities, including Timbuktu. This operation provided a window of opportunity for the rescue of the manuscripts, as it destabilized the extremist groups and created chaos that could be exploited.

5. The audacious rescue mission: Smuggling manuscripts out of Timbuktu

"Not a single manuscript was compromised during the evacuation—nada, zero. They all made it."

A clandestine operation. Haidara and his team orchestrated a daring rescue mission to smuggle the manuscripts out of Timbuktu. The operation involved:

• Recruiting a network of couriers, mostly young men and teenagers
• Purchasing metal trunks to transport the manuscripts
• Using river boats, cars, and donkey carts to move the texts
• Establishing safe houses in Bamako to store the rescued manuscripts

Risks and challenges. The rescue mission faced numerous obstacles:

• Avoiding detection by jihadist patrols
• Navigating checkpoints and potential bandits
• Protecting the fragile manuscripts from damage during transport
• Securing funding for the operation

6. The complexities of Malian politics and the Tuareg rebellion

"Iyad is not finished as a political player."

A volatile region. The crisis in Mali was rooted in complex political and ethnic tensions, particularly involving the Tuareg people's desire for autonomy. Key factors included:

• Historical marginalization of the Tuareg population
• The fall of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, which led to an influx of weapons and fighters
• Alliances and conflicts between various armed groups and the Malian government

Shifting alliances. The situation was further complicated by figures like Iyad Ag Ghali, a former Tuareg rebel leader who became a jihadist commander. His journey from secular nationalism to religious extremism exemplified the fluid nature of allegiances in the region.

7. The lasting impact of preserving Timbuktu's intellectual legacy

"You are the custodian of a great intellectual tradition."

Global recognition. The rescue of Timbuktu's manuscripts brought international attention to Mali's rich cultural heritage. This resulted in:

• Increased funding for preservation and digitization efforts
• Greater academic interest in studying the manuscripts
• Recognition of Africa's contribution to global intellectual history

Challenges ahead. Despite the successful rescue, significant work remains:

• Restoring and properly preserving the manuscripts
• Digitizing the texts to ensure long-term survival and accessibility
• Addressing ongoing security concerns in northern Mali
• Repatriating the manuscripts to Timbuktu when conditions allow

The preservation of these manuscripts not only safeguards valuable knowledge but also challenges historical narratives about African intellectual traditions, potentially reshaping our understanding of global history and cultural exchange.

Last updated: January 22, 2025