Latest / Timbuktu: Africa's Forgotten Center of Knowledge — Fexingo History
Timbuktu's Scribe Kings: The Kati Family Legacy
While Timbuktu is often remembered for its vast libraries and the famous Ahmad Baba, the true architects of its intellectual identity were the Kati family. In this episode, we explore how Mahmud Kati and his son Muhammad al-Kati constructed the Tarikh al-Sudan and Tarikh al-Fattash, two foundational texts that defined West African historiography. We look at their unique position as both scholars and state officials under the Songhai Empire, navigating the complex relationship between Islamic law and indigenous tradition. From drafting legal fatwas to chronicling the rise and fall of Askia…
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