Timbuktu’s ancient manuscripts return after years in hiding

Описание: (15 Nov 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 2 September 2025

1. Mid of an Ahmed Baba institute worker photographing ancient manuscripts
2. Mid of ancient manuscripts on table
3. Mid of scanned ancient manuscript appearing on computer screen
4. Wide of an Ahmed Baba institute worker opening gate to where the ancient manuscripts are stored and displayed
5. Mid of Dr Mohamed Diagayaté and an employee of Ahmed Baba institute in the storage of the manuscripts
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr Mohamed Diagayaté, general director of the Ahmed Baba Institute:
“You have a lot of historical information about the area, like the Macina region, Mopti and its surroundings and Timbuktu and its surroundings. So, what we find in these ancients manuscripts cannot be found anywhere else."

7. Various of ancient manuscripts in the showroom

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 3 September 2025

8. Various setups of Sane Chirfi Alpha
9. SOUNDBITE (French) Sane Chirfi Alpha, founding member of SAVAMA-DCI:
“According to old documents, there were doctors here in Timbuktu who performed surgery to treat cataracts. The same manuscript also says that a doctor from Timbuktu saved the French throne. The crown prince was sick, and French doctors couldn't cure him. It was the doctor from Timbuktu who cured him.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 2 September 2025

10. Various of ancient manuscripts on the library shelves of Ahmed Baba Institute
11. Close of piece of paper on shelf that says the manuscripts are missing

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 3 September 2025

12. SOUNDBITE (French) Sane Chirfi Alpha, founding member of SAVAMA-DCI:
“The families that hold the manuscripts are in a difficult situation and receive no support. So, when these families have money problems, the father might want to sell (the manuscripts).”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 2 September 2025

13. Various of manuscripts on display, including manuscripts burned during 2012 armed group occupation
14. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr Mohamed Diagayaté, general director of the Ahmed Baba Institute:
"When a student finishes studying with a scholar, that scholar gives him a certificate saying he has taught him a subject, which the student has mastered. The certificate also says that the student learned it from a certain scholar, and that this scholar learned it from another scholar, going right back to the person who wrote the original document."

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 3 September 2025

15. Wide of a teacher teaching native language to student at the Ahmed Baba institute
16. Close of computer screen projected on wall
17. Mid of students, including Baydaly Mahamane
18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Baylaly Mohamane, student at Ahmed Baba Institute:
“I want to be a manuscript specialist because I think it's a good thing. When I become a manuscript specialist, I will be able to do many things that will benefit me and others. Manuscripts contain lots of information about medicines and explanations of how to use them to treat various illnesses.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 2 September 2025

19. Various of Ahmed Baba wall display and signage

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Timbuktu, Mali – 3 September 2025

20. SOUNDBITE (French) Abdoulaye Cissé, General secretary of Ahmed Baba institute:
“Some people are still afraid because they think it's not safe in the north of Mali. This fear often stops them from coming here to do the work they need to do, which is related to the manuscripts.”

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