HMML Global Operations: Mali

Mali



HMML’s largest project to date focuses on the West African Islamic traditions found in the manuscripts of Timbuktu and Djenné. The Mali library tradition centers on family library collections used, safeguarded, and kept within learned families for generations. HMML's work began with Malian partners at SAVAMA-DCI, digitizing hundreds of thousands of manuscripts evacuated from Timbuktu to Bamako, Mali’s capital, before the armed occupation of Timbuktu in 2012. The SAVAMA collection contains many small and large family libraries, including the family library of SAVAMA’s founder, Dr. Abdel Kader Haidara—the Mamma Haidara Library—and the libraries of Aboubacar Abass, Attaher Mouaz, Almoustapha Abdoulahi, and others. HMML and SAVAMA partnered with the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures to build local capacity in conservation, description, and digitization of manuscripts. HMML's work later extended to partnerships with family libraries that remained in Timbuktu and a partnership to photograph multiple family libraries in Djenné with the Djenné Manuscript Library. In Timbuktu, HMML partnered with the EAP for the Endangered Libraries of Timbuktu (ELIT) project based at the Imam Ben Essayouti Library, Al-Wangara Library at the Sidi Yahya Mosque, and the Al-Cady Al-Aqib Library at the Sankore Mosque.

HMML’s digitization work in Mali is now complete, resulting in an estimated 4.25 million unique image files representing 302,000 manuscripts. Our work of cataloging these manuscripts for online access in Reading Room will continue for many years.


Digitization technician at SAVAMA in Bamako
Digitization technician at SAVAMA in Bamako
Typical West African style binding
Typical West African style binding
Dr. Abdel Kader Haidara, founder of SAVAMA-DCI (Bamako)
Dr. Abdel Kader Haidara, founder of SAVAMA-DCI (Bamako)
Manuscript from the Aboubacar Bin Said Library, Timbuktu (<a href='https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/151654'>SAV ABS 312</a>)
Manuscript from the Aboubacar Bin Said Library, Timbuktu (SAV ABS 312)
Great Mosque of Djenné
Great Mosque of Djenné
Technicians and archivists at the Djenné Manuscript Library
Technicians and archivists at the Djenné Manuscript Library
HMML Executive Director Columba Stewart and Project Director (Djenné and Timbuktu) Sophie Sarin, with partners at the Al-Wangari Library, Timbuktu
HMML Executive Director Columba Stewart and Project Director (Djenné and Timbuktu) Sophie Sarin, with partners at the Al-Wangari Library, Timbuktu
Collating manuscripts before digitization at SAVAMA-DCI, Bamako
Collating manuscripts before digitization at SAVAMA-DCI, Bamako
Team from the ELIT (Endangered Libraries of Timbuktu)
Team from the ELIT (Endangered Libraries of Timbuktu)
Manuscript from the Mamma Haidara Library, Timbuktu (<a href='https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/161710'>SAV BMH 14774</a>)
Manuscript from the Mamma Haidara Library, Timbuktu (SAV BMH 14774)
HMML’s Field Director for the Middle East, Africa & South Asia, Walid Mourad, training Malian technicians
HMML’s Field Director for the Middle East, Africa & South Asia, Walid Mourad, training Malian technicians
HMML Executive Director Columba Stewart and Banzoumana Traoré at SAVAMA-DCI
HMML Executive Director Columba Stewart and Banzoumana Traoré at SAVAMA-DCI

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