VOICED : Timbuktu manuscripts face an uncertain future

In January 2013, as French and Malian troops retook Timbuktu, many priceless manuscripts were saved by local families and smuggled to Bamako. These manuscripts, mostly in Arabic, are a testament to the intellectual wealth of the 16th-century University of Sankore. Topics include religion, jurisprudence, and conflict resolution. Efforts are underway to digitize them, but they face climate threats in Bamako. Nearly 28,000 manuscripts are stored at the Ahmed Baba Institute, with plans to return them to Timbuktu once conditions are secure. Restoration of libraries in Timbuktu is ongoing amid northern conflicts.

What event led to the discovery of the rescued manuscripts in Timbuktu?

• A natural disaster

• A military conflict

• An archaeological excavation

• A cultural festival

Which university is associated with the manuscripts from Timbuktu?

• University of Mali

• University of Timbuktu

• University of Sankore

• University of Bamako

What is one of the main goals for the manuscripts discussed in the second section?

• To digitize and preserve them

• To sell them to collectors

• To display them in a museum

• To translate them into multiple languages

What is a significant threat to the manuscripts mentioned in the final section?

• Insect infestation

• High humidity

• Overexposure to light

• Lack of interest

What is being done to ensure the safe return of the manuscripts to Timbuktu?

• Building new libraries

• Moving them to another country

• Increasing security measures

• Restoring existing libraries