It has been said that black Africa has no written tradition. Whenever, the discovery in Tombouctou of thousands manuscripts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries reveals that this part of the black continent was a great training center where people came from diverse horizons, to acquire knowledge. These manuscripts reflect an Africa with a rich and diversified culture, and also the existence of scientific knowledge including architecture, tradition, astrology, religion, geography, mathematics…


2008, 74 min., South Africa

‘The Manuscripts of Timbuktu' is a documentary about the history of the Manuscripts seen through the life of one of Africa's greatest scholars, Ahmed Baba who is portrayed in the film by the famous actor, Eriq
Ebouaney.
It's a poetic and visually stunning film that elevates the views of African historians and packs a punch at European historians who covered up the true meaning of the manuscripts and ancient African culture and writing.

Music by Vieux Farka Touré and Jonathan de Vries


FESTIVALS / AWARDS

2009 | Real Life Documentary Film Festival | ACCRA, Ghana | www.ka-yelema.org
* * In Competition
* Walter Mosley Award 2009