Latest / Timbuktu: Africa's Forgotten Center of Knowledge — Fexingo History
The Sacking of Timbuktu and the Secret Rescue of Its Manuscripts
When jihadist forces seized Timbuktu in 2012, they destroyed centuries-old mausoleums and threatened the city's legendary manuscripts. This episode tells the extraordinary story of the librarians and archivists who smuggled over 350,000 fragile documents to safety under the noses of armed occupiers. We explore the contents of those manuscripts — covering astronomy, medicine, law, and philosophy from the 13th to 16th centuries — and how they challenge Western narratives of African history. We meet key figures like Abdel Kader Haidara, who organized the evacuation, and learn about the…
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