Timbuktu was a secret world of ancient scholars

The city of Timbuktu was a cultural mecca in ancient times, and a foundation of African scholars. Philosophers such as Plato and Homer were rumored to have studied there. At one point in Timbuktu, sixty percent of the population was scholars. The city also prided itself on the fact that Timbuktu was abundant in gold, therefore making it the envy of other kingdoms.

Knowledge of self in Timbuktu

Timbuktu was located in the center of Mali, by the Niger River. The first construction of Timbuktu was designed by African architects from North Africa. By the 12th century, the prosperous city had three different universities. These Qur’anic schools were called Sankore University, Sidi Yanya University, and Jingaray Ber University. During this period of affluence, scholars would refine their texts in books, which were copied, reproduced, and imported; thus, giving headway to a lucrative book copying industry. Books were so highly regarded, that they became one of the Timbuktu’s best commodities, oftentimes being traded for salt and gold.

An abundance of gold

Timbuktu’s strategic location made it a thriving port with easy access from the sea. This would both help and hurt Timbuktu because it became an easy mark for invaders. In 1324, the city was taken over by Mansa Mussa, emperor of Mali, who heard about the thriving economy. After Mussa’s pilgrimage to Mecca, he returned with an Egyptian architect to which he paid the tune of 200 kg of gold, too build the Jingaray Ber (translates as Friday prayers mosque) mosque and a royal palace. Just think for a minute, 200 kg is the equivalent of 20000 grams of gold.

Mussa’s trip to Mecca made Timbuktu known globally. He took 60,000 porters on the trip, carrying 3 grams of gold each. It was so abundant that Mussa’s stop in Egypt left their dollar inferior, and afforded Mali a place on the world map. In 1339, Mussa died and the Mossi people took Timbuktu over abruptly, until the Manduka tribe (Mussa’s descendants) protected the city. The protection of Mussa’s people would last for ten years, until the city is invaded by the Tuareg people.

One hundred years before the end

The capture and recapture of Timbuktu would do on for about 150 years, until 1493, Askia Mohammed overthrew Sonni Ali Ber. Askia was Sonni Ali’s chief advisor and quickly grew tired of Ali’s harsh ways. Sonni Ali reigned for one year, before being overthrown. Askia ,on the other hand, was peaceful and encouraging to the scholars. Under his reign, Timbuktu was remolded into an affluent empire, reestablishing its strong educational foundation and trading markets. In 1591, the Moroccan army destroyed the city by killing scholars, burning libraries, and destroying anything worth value.

Hundreds of manuscripts can be found in French museums and universities. The only site of the ancient Timbuktu is a small portion of mosques. Today, the townspeople are trying to preserve the old mosques. Although, the past 4 centuries left Timbuktu in disarray, ancient texts are being salvaged online. The city of Timbuktu made a strong contribution to history, giving insight to the intellectual minds of ancient scholars. Yet, it shows the evolution of mankind and his constant needs to learn, worship, and conquer.

Timbuktu Educational Foundation, www.timbuktufoundation.org/history.html, 2002