What’s In the Manuscripts of Timbuktu? A Survey of the Contents of 31 Private Libraries

Abstract The Arabic manuscripts of Timbuktu have received considerable publicity during the past 25 years, yet their contents remain largely unknown. Since 2012, an inventory nearly 350,000 in private libraries has been underway, and those are now accessible West African Manuscript Database (WAAMD). This analysis examines 31 35 addition to reporting on contents, notes challenges accessing incompletely identified works, compares with other collections.