Library Heroes or Book Smugglers? The Story of the Manuscripts of Timbuktu

This article presents the remarkable story of the very old manuscripts in Timbuktu, found in the archives of official institutions as well as in private collections. Going beyond the myths of illiterate Africa, the paper attempts to expose the thriving scholar activity and bibliophilic importance of the city of Timbuktu, the heart of intellectual history of Western Africa. A particular emphasis is put on the crucial role many courageous Malian librarians and conservationsts had in their bold attitude to the warriors under the Jihadi occupation. In 2013 their adventurous evacuation of the books was pivotal to the salvation of their precious cultural heritage.