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Should the west do more to help preserve the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu?
YOUR SAYShould the west do more to help preserve the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu?
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I think the people from Timbuktu the most interested in protecting their manuscripts. Most of these manuscripts dated from the 15th and 16th century. Because they were and are so precious for the timbuktians, these manuscripts still exist. If the west is really willing to help, I think there are others priorities that the people of Timbuktu desperately need eg: road to the capital city, Trees to stop the desertification; schools and teachers.... It seems that only the manuscripts interested the west. The west should target not the manuscripts but also the development of the individuals inside Timbuktu.
I have been to Mali and Timbuktu. Timbuktu is a marvellous place. All countries should contribute to the preservation work in Timbuktu - the manuscripts are priceless.
The Western governments' involvment is generally accompanied with string attached. Hence, the West should leave Timbuktu to its people. Let the local develope their own strategy to preserve their own history and culture.
I was blown away when I saw the show on Timbuktu as I have felt for many years that its in Egypt and Africa we are to find the real purpose of life and where it came from. Im 62 and these people seem so intelligent and know everything about the world and I have to wonder where it all was lost, what happened to these people and their worlds, why are we only just finding them, please continue helping them thank you Kathy Kay Artist/Teacher
Please repeat this wonderful programme next week with more manuscript information on nutrition
I'm always very moved when I see ancient records (paper or people) because it shows how the minds and wisdom of people long ago can still connect to the present. So it seems just right if the rich West can assist the poor 3rd world to conserve and maintain the books of Timbuktu - it's the heritage of humanity and we need to distribute resources globally to keep it going.
UNESCO has established the Memory of the World Programme to safeguard the world's important documentary heritage. This magnificent African collection is typical of the material that the Programme aims to safeguard, which does not promote removal of material to other locations. The ideal situation in Timbuktu would be for the material to be preserved locally, be adequately housed and by using modern technology to be made available to scholars worldwide. Serious scholars should still have access to the original material if they are prepared to travel to Timbuktu. This will not happen as the Programme is grossly inadequately funded and cannot provide the necessary funds. Rich countries and individuals from all parts of the world, as is suggested by Jim of QLD, should help to preserve this invaluable record of human achievements.
I would be very interested in reading about the Nutrition, eating,how to eat,and drinking. How can l log into that? Alot of Westerns would only be interested in the dollar not the real worth. Don't lose them.
Yes I agree. Having visited Timbuktu earlier this year and seen the ancient manuscripts, we were moved to make a donation towards their continued preservation. This is a history of mankind that should not be defined by borders, language or religion. Perhaps these ancient tomes contain wisdoms lost to this modern world.
We've seen the libraries and many of the manuscripts and it is very much worked on a shoe string budget. Perhaps they have received more aid since we were there in February. It should be left to the Muslim countries/world to look after their own historical and religious texts and in turn help those in Mali.