History of Timbuktu

The city of Timbuktu, located today in the nation of Mali, was at one time a significant intellectual and spiritual world capital, and a nexus for the spread of Islam throughout Africa. Many of the city's libraries and learning centers, including Sankore Madrasah, still stand today.

Timbuktu was founded by the Tuareg Imashagan people in the 11th century.[1] A semi-nomadic peoples, the Tuareg would travel around the desert during the rainy season to find grazing land for their livestock. During the dry season however they would return to the Niger River which would lead to sicknesses from mosquitoes and stagnant water. Eventually they settled a few miles away from the river where they dug a well which became the origin of the ancient city.

• University of Oslo: The Timbuktu Libraries and Timbuktu Manuscripts Project

• Tombouctou 2006: Guide to the Tombs of Muslim Saints in Timbuktu

• Central Oregon Community College "Epic of Sundjata"

• The Hindi: "Desert Rhythms" (2003)

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