The Manuscripts and Intellectual Legacy of Timbuktu

The Malian city of Timbuktu is one of the world's oldest seats of learning and has an intellectual legacy of hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, coming from three great West African desert empires: Ancient Ghana, medieval Mali, and the Songhai Empire. These manuscripts offer a unique window into their history. Many remain unread.
This lecture will look at how their study can be used to advance our knowledge of the intellectual history of the premodern world.
A lecture by Robin Walker, recorded live on 12 October 2022.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-an...
Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: gresham.ac.uk/support/
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[@M3OverSeas]

FINALLY Mr Robin Walker has found somewhat of a mainstream audience!!… I have followed his lectures for years! He has also written several books… I encourage each and everyone to not only share this lecture , but to also research his numerous other lectures( those not so mainstream)

[@Laura-sg6ss]

Yes exactly!!!

[@jessefellows9277]

Will do

[@roxiet7016]

It will be a privilege… Greatly valuable information 💥🖤.., will share it with my intended students …💜🧡 Will also purchase his written books…🖤 I’ve read and enjoyed one.⭐️.. tremendously. Ashe’… thank you…🌟

[@aelearning1545]

Great lecture by Robin Walker!

[@Kinnard1967]

TYSM for the jewel of knowledge, ONE LOV

[@rlittlefield2691]

I am so glad to hear someone speaking about the rich culture that existed in Africa.

[@AfricanEmpress01]

As always.

[@courtneyturner5083]

I need more current lectures from Robin. He’s the next up in a long line of inspirational black historians/ intellectuals. Excellent hour spent listening.

[@papahawk3644]

Robin? You must be acquainted with him. I would also like to hear more from Mr. Walker. i’ll be looking for his writings.

[@oliverlaw02]

He's lightweight In comparison to the people who he plagiarized.

[@ralami6183]

Yes he is among the best for sure!

[@Laura-sg6ss]

@@oliverlaw02 plagar- what??? Man😭💀💀💀gtfoh

[@KM-nb2is]

This must certainly be an adopted curriculum in schools and Universities all over the beloved World

[@AmosKatana]

This is more accurate and elaborate than most North African historical presentations I've experienced

[@truth-be-told]

Master class, now we know the African Americans come from a cultured heritage which was diluted or say forcibly drained. Thank you for the knowledge 👍

[@africaine4889]

Yes. You come from greatness

[@Prodigy396]

@@africaine4889 Most black people in America don't descend from Africa.

[@africaine4889]

@@Prodigy396every single black have roots in Africa. Now if u spit on your african ancestors it is up to u. I am am a bantu. We believe in reincarnation. I hope for u that you do not have a single drop of bantu blood.

[@aprilspencer73]

@@africaine4889 right that's crazy we are African just not born in Africa

[@patriciaalridge8618]

Black Americans? Black people.

[@truthsearch9797]

I enjoyed and appreciated the scholarship and determined composure of Mr. Walker. I especially appreciated the lack of frill in his presentation. He also made sure to present loads of references. I have been a student of African history for close to 40 years, and witnessed personally the lectures of Dr. John H. Henrik Clarke, Ivan Van Sertima, Dr.Yosef Ben Jochannan, Professor James Smalls, Dr. Wade Nobles and many others. Mr. Walker is on par with many of the previous excellent scholars of African history and legacy. Also he was unapologetic in his presentation and clearly was not seeking validation. This I found refreshing. Thank You Mr. Walker and I thank Gresham College for allowing a platform for the presentation.

[@rabiyah7402]

It would benefit any student of history or historians to do a comparative study also of the Quran, Hadith and Islamic history or better yet consult Islamic scholars while quoting historical references about Islam in order to validate fairly... Enemies of social movements of all types, including Islam existed long ago as they do today.

[@johnpatterson6448]

I love the way he dives straight in without preamble

[@slingshotchicken4695]

Robin Walker delivers a classic lecture here. Give that man a raise!

[@catherinehodge7624]

Thanks for the offerings of Gresham college. Clearly the extent of the vandalism is only now coming to light. Thank you for the excellent presentation and the Intellectual prowess of the presenter. I don't think it is too much of a stretch to saw there is a systematic plot to erase all evidence of African scholarship and achievements and it is still in force today if you understand what IS tried to do in Timbuktu in as recently as 2012. The need for a concerted joining of our efforts to expose the villany and reducate the world with particular emphasis on the youths of the continent of Africa is beyond question. Incredible! There is no other comment more fitting at this time. INCREDIBLE!

[@taredaniel9660]

This is one of the best presentation I've ever come across on KZbin. Well done Prof!

[@tangabiang5282]

In 2005, some inhabitants showed me and some other students the ancient manuscripts kept by their families. One of this family lived in front of the French explorer René Caillé house in Timbuktu.

[@trojanette8345]

WOW!! Truly a special experience. You are lucky.

[@trojanette8345]

Thepeople that you met....did get the sense that they knew the value of what they had OR............ Did you get the sense that they understood the value of what they had hidden and that, that is the reason WHY they kept it secret or kept it hidden?

[@T.image79]

Did you get the sense that they fully appreciated the value of what they had??

[@aelearning1545]

Great lecture by Robin Walker!

[@davidwright8432]

Very, very many thanks for this.I knew so little of it. Apart from the amazing narrative, the parallel of Latin to European scholarship and Arabic to African, helps explain a lot.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Yeah yeah! And Ancient Greece influenced how the Cyrillic alphabet turned out aka Russia. All fascinating 👵

[@donnamarie6736]

Great and insightful lecture. I pray wealthy Africans can fund the translation and preservation of these ancient documents.

[@queenselah6261]

What are you talking about?

[@olawale5549]

Came to take a peek at what the lecture was really about, ended up listening till the end. Interesting topic, excellent delivery.

[@extrabigman6825]

I studied under this man for three yrs and need to go back to yr 1 study. Mind blowing information

[@roxiet7016]

Wondrous and wonderfully enriching . 🧡💥 I am sure u will continue your scholarship..💫 I plan to order books written by dr. Walker.. I am a lover and great admire of the Timbuktu fabulous legacy🌟🔥… Great encompassing lecturer and lecture..💜🧡 Ashe’ fam

[@MuhammadAli-hr1bj]

Astounding lecture on a fascinating subject. I first came across Mansa Musa at the Haaj Exhibition at the British Museum. I was simply blown away by the thriving rich Intellectual tradition of the Malian empire.

[@elaineburnett5230]

It is becoming more apparent that large amounts of ancient history have been ignored ..

[@tuckergary1516]

this Timbkutu lecture is mind-boggling thank you

[@--user-tk9fz7fc7w--]

France colonial cult era was brutal

[@josephz.z.matowanyika2544]

I like this very much. Most illumunating for African people like myself. I am a non-historian professionally but intensely seeking to understand our long term indigenous African origins in various facets of our lives and experiences. One thing I wish simeone could assist with is the linakges with other regions of Africa. The linkage with the Sudan, the bantu migrations all the way to the southern tip of the African continent. In other words, the unity of Afrcian history and histories is essential. Take g for example the place of gold and ivory in the history of the last millenia of the whole continent would be interesting. I wish to be directed to this kind of literature. We do know that over the last two millenia and more, there was much more inter-African sharing of cultural heritage matters. Most illuminating. Thanks

[@lotusflowerbombmadchenvomm4343]

❤️❤️❤️❤️This is one of the best news for our continent and people. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lindsaywaterman2010]

Thank you very much Mr. Robin Walke for this most enlightening lecture with your amazing erudition!

[@richardtyndall9311]

Thank you Robin , It would be great to see you back with more lectures.

[@simeonstarr8254]

Real Black history, finally 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾❤🙏🏾✊🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ScottAJacob]

What to be learned of African history and scholarship is clearly foundational to western knowledge and modern educational forms. It is so refreshing to be given a new perspective on the history and intellectual inheritance gained from the great empires of Africa. As western education continues to fail and fall in it's duty to educate it's citizens and raise people up, out of poverty and stupidity, it should be a beacon of hope to know by African descendants that they hail from one of the worlds most celebrated cultures of learning and intellectual scholarship. This is the secret that white dominated western societies didn't want the world to know; their intellectual knowledge is descended from far older black African scholarship. This lecture by Mr. Walker is to be commended for eroding the lies of white perception. Also impressive are the correct pronunciations of the proper names mentioned in the lecture. So often butchered by western orators, Robin's dictation was most refreshing. More please!

[@queenselah6261]

Thank you I appreciate your rare brut honesty

[@ScottAJacob]

@@queenselah6261 You are quite welcome. I'm a student of life and I grasp, smiling, at powerful information like this that could shift the paradigm in the better direction. The knowledge to be learned, the wisdom to be gained, and the scholar's curiosity to be pondered, has no color nor race nor society which holds them hostage. These are the rights afforded the human mind since our conscience found itself in human form. It is only through those who deny us these basic foods that we stagnate and slowly die by the blind functionality of a flawed and ignorant society. Knowledge is power! And what hypocrites abound in that flawed society that ignores the truth and origins of their knowledge, and with irony proves itself powerless. Were we to be so enriched as to release that knowledge unto the world, and for that, our souls be filled and complete, we would then know true freedom; no longer kept empty by the ignorance that starves us all. I shall be posting and sharing this profound and timely lecture so others too may be enlightened and their eyes opened, if even just a little more. We will get there, slowly, one step at a time, and like babies yet to walk, Humanity has much to learn and relearn.

[@queenselah6261]

@@ScottAJacob we could learn from Judas how he betrayed HaMashyach to his death for 30 pieces of silver but sought to return the money instead of humbling himself to HaMashyach whom he had betrayed. So we don't expect Amerikka to right their wrongdoings against us our father will avenge his precious few. Believe it

[@SunnyandNova]

Is it fare to say Europeans have stolen and lied about the identity and history of AFRICANS. 🇪🇬 / 🇸🇩 🤓……yes or no? YT 🤓

[@oliviamonteque6407]

Just as it says in Psalms 83, they came together to distroy African writings, and history.

[@mspenelope6874]

Really enjoyed this and hope to see this area of scholarship expand. An excellent scholar and speaker ✨🙏✨

[@trojanette8345]

This was truly an enlightening and awe-inspiring moment. Yet, also very poignant and bittersweet to listen to. You see I have older (now deceased) relatives who used to tell me when, I was younger that when they were coming along in school in the '20's, '30's, and 40's, here in America, they used to routinely, get lessons and hear discussions, about the true history of North Africa. I'm thinking of one older aunt in particular who could rattle off the names of great African chiefs and warlords like it was everyday lingo. However, by the mid to late 1950's textbooks and teachings on the subjects had all but eradicated. So much, so that by the time I started going to school in, the late '60's and early 1970's nary a word of it was ever mentioned at all. Looking back I would suspect that social, political, and economic values had changed over the decades. Socially -- it was no longer deemed 'hip' to, "talk about that 'old stuff' ". It happened in the past. Ergo, let's leave it where we found it. It was no longer useful to discuss. Politically -- it was seen as unseemly to delve into the upheavals and chaos of so distant a land that 'had nothing to do with us'. Economically -- the period betw the mid 60's to the middle of the 1970''s was in full "Hippy, (Viet) 'Nam / "Flower Power" (fist bump) mode that people no longer saw such topics, as relevant. Why talk about a land and a people so far removed from, our own 'civilization'? There was no need. As such it was no longer necessary to spend time or waste precious extra book space or pages on, irrelevant material. So, the material was just cut out of the curriculum. Evidence of this 'casting off' of knowledge is evident right through to today. Sadly children of today hardly know what a textbook really is. Schools in general barely, distribute textbooks nor, do they freely give out expanded knowledge to our nation's youth, anymore. In fact in many school textbooks and additional learning material is oftentimes locked away in storage closets and hidden rooms. I should know.....I've seen this trend first-hand. I..........am a teacher.

[@elaineburnett5230]

Well you just taught me...thank you.

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

Robin you do us proud.

[@yvonneifill13]

Wow beautiful my eyes 👀 are wide open and so much knowledge and learning we need to learn about history of black civilization . Thanks 🙏🏽 for your speaking hope you get invited to speak all around the world 🌍 thanks 🙏🏽

[@moqapiselassie1756]

As always an excellent lecture. I'm proud to say that's I teacher. Well done teach!

[@Amidat]

Wonderful to hear this part of African history be told.

[@heavnlybody4876]

Indeed.. this part😳🥱👁️🌟👁️

[@heavnlybody4876]

I need some facts hard core references to go to right now! Books, yes we want to know not just saying manuscripts....

[@Amidat]

@@heavnlybody4876 my goal is travel directly there

[@helenamcginty4920]

A difficult ask to cover such a huge time period and subject in one hour but well worth the effort. Nice to be able to hear the speaker as well. So many of these types of lectures have poor sound quality. Universities seem to be worst.

[@KaikalaMoon]

Amazing stuff! Thanks for enlightening us with this knowledge.

[@sonarbangla8711]

Extremely well presented history of Timbuctoo, well researched and is a treasure in the annuls of human achievement. Specially the presence of scholars from Andalusia, where a library at Alhambra had a collection of 400,000 books on science, mathematics and medicine etc. It is logical that some of these valuable books ended up in Timbuctoo and may still can be found. Scholars from Oxford and Cambridge are searching these books, frantically. They are the product of the Abbasid period, when Muslim scholars preserved and improved upon knowledge from India and China. If these books are still preserved in Mali, under the sand or some where then a treasure trove can be retrieved.

[@queenselah6261]

And all these blessings shall overcome Yisrael and Overtake Yisrael

[@kingdavidwilliams8609]

EXCELLENT! This is "LIGHT",... Literally! The Colonization of Lands and Information,... along with the Destruction of Indigenous Cultures and Societies, are the Epitome of the Crimes Against Hue-Manity. There SO MUCH information, evidence and knowledge of the Greatness/Richness of the History Allover the Continent of Africa! (Give Deep Thought to WHY This Would Have Been Done)

[@emfegmfeg7100]

umm, it was done because all people conquer, just like the Chinese are now conquering Africa and other parts of the world. It is HUMAN Nature.

[@ianrmacdougall3875]

Brilliant Heritage Ancient Ghania the vandals of Colonial Europe and the utter destruction of Black Power, intellectual autonomy, what a great discovery Timbuktu. Wonderful narration

[@kaarlimakela3413]

I do hope history, literature, and all this material is preserved as you say. This is wonderful, as for so long it was said that nearly all of this treasure was lost.

[@pamelahomeyer748]

Many of the greatest manuscripts from Timbuktu are in private hands inside well kept and guarded wooden treasure chest along the road to Timbuktu. You go along the road towards Timbuktu and ask I believe you will find all the records that you were looking for

[@kat64470]

Is there a tour one can take?

[@fromGhetto2Goddess]

Amazing, educative and informative. Please keep these lectures coming!!!

[@myronbriggs1018]

The World Digital Library in collaboration with the Library of Congress digitized several hundred of these manuscripts which can easily be accessed through their online portals. I was personally involved with this project.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Wonderful 👵😃

[@djfort1466]

Thank you

[@d.c.8828]

Thanks for getting the word out!

[@HOTEP069]

Mad appreciation!

[@earlfulton7453]

Thanks for your services👍

[@johnnybates7580]

I was just watching, "when the Sahara was green." I look forward ro this talk.

[@stefanhouston8616]

A trillion thumbs up !

[@nehemiahvaughn4768]

Timbuktu is a beautiful place. I seen with my eyes one of the first bibles translated from Greek to Arabic. Other books are buried in the sand for safe keeping.

[@mavisg.biekman9755]

Bare in mind that during the recen "war"in Mali, The Dutch took documents from Timbuktu to the University of Leiden! As I was told, it happened in secrecy because they were afraid that the "terrorists" would destroyed it! Be Aware Africa scholars, and Africa's population! Many African Artefacts are still in Europe, and they will not return it!

[@Happyheretic2308]

But they were saved from the depredations of the foul attackers, with their intention to destroy the learning and knowledge left in Timbuktu. The RoP are anti-intellectual.

[@smkh2890]

You mean the Dutch rescued and preserved the manuscripts and artifacts?

[@KhairulFadzlyAKarim]

Great lectures, never realized the importance of Timbuktu before, always heard of the name but not the significant of it.

[@vlastafe]

Mr.Walker, I am fascinated by your presentation.

[@charrisgs400]

Great Lecture and awesome lecturer!

[@kaddufrancisethan4080]

Ink indeed truly never fades and it's veracity will always produce authenticity

[@trevoryingwane5714]

Very illuminating, thank you very much!!

[@eldermorris5221]

Young black children need to learn this history it is up to you to educate the young people they will not will you Share share

[@butchmitch731]

Remakable. Essential Learning. Thank you, Sir; a true Scholar

[@Popalongkid]

I just randomly came across this video. I greatly appreciate his erudition and concise and unopinionated dissemination of a part of West African History we hear very little of. Bless this brother, he's a great find. 🙏🏽🤗💕

[@mealexmailex311]

Great presentation, very insightful

[@sunshinesmiles9761]

They cut our noses of to spit our faces Thank you Professor

[@femiobagun2795]

Many thanks for this. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute and would definitely be buying some of the books mentioned to learn more.

[@SenegalStyleSinetaGeorge]

THIS MAN... I have learned more in an hour than 22yrs of living in Senegal. My greatest respect Mr Walker - thank you thank you thank you! Sineta George, SenegalStyle BnB Homestay & SenegalStyle TOURS!

[@kf9926]

Show you family and friends

[@dawnmuir5052]

Excellent presentation; clear, consice and extremely interesting and enlightening to me as a newcomer to African history. Thank you!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@ras239]

I just want to thank Mr. Walker and Gresham college for a outstanding presentation. This presentation have turn the lights on. The revelation of knowledge ancient African literature and culture just truly amazing.

[@fretnesbutke3233]

It's often said that the victors write the history. I doubt that it's the case even most of the time. A prime example is the butchery of the Persians by Jenghis Khan. The Mongols of the time were illiterate,unlike the Persians. The literate write the history. That's what renders the scholarship of Timbuktu to be of such inestimable value. The ignorant overlords of every age do their best to destroy "book learnin' ". . Hug a Librarian today..

[@jaywalters5255]

The removal of books on the origin of so-called black americans and their contributions are being removed and laws are being passed that punish educators who teach on the subject of slavery, if it doesn't fit the narrative of so-called white people, or if it 'makes so-called white children feel that they are inherently evil, etc.' Nevermind the so-called black children who suffer from the legacy of slavery, jim crow and laws which forbade so-called blacks from reading for multiple centuries. May the truth rise. Thanks for the mention of Chancellor Williams, Cheik Ante Diop and other great authors researchers etc.

[@berneak1]

Finding black history today is like pulling a string from a knitted dress.the more you pull ,the more the dress unravel. Loving this new old history .🥰

[@karenishness1]

This lecture answered questions I had for decades!!!!!

[@hasseaouled6032]

This brings tears to my eyes. What happened to us?

[@marydavis7978]

And still happening!

[@ZareefPusha]

There was a holocaust committed on the African continent over four hundred years. That’s what happened

[@m.madisoncammue5619]

So many historical information packed in 1hr with a deep clarity on many topics at the same time. Thanks a lot sr!

[@bmuhamad]

Ali Ould Sidi former Mayor of Timbuktu. Thank you.

[@dayoadeyemo5769]

What a lecture Bravo Monsieur 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@cosmicdiasporapoems2916]

Many thanks for this excellent presentation.

[@freedom_ATA]

Bravo Mr. Walker! Nice to see you shining, I’ve been a fan for many years✊🏾❤️✊🏾

[@davidakinmade3523]

Thank you sir for this lecture!

[@lolita239]

Alliance of Sultan Almansor & QE 1 😳 invaded & destroyed Songhai....that blew my mind. Thank you sir for such an insightful and informative lecture on West African history👏🏽👏🏽

[@capt.malickbilal1554]

A lecture for the ages. It was fresh footprints on my impressionable mind. I am inspired to press my brain.

[@dennisras9286]

Extraordinary lecture.

[@Mingtree10]

Much appreciation for making available here Mr. Wright's research and analysis in this lecture. I am hoping you might consider a part II to allow him to share more of his explorations and analysis; thus, I am happy to subscribe.

[@joshuasmith4979]

Tremendous lecture. Thank you, Professor

[@KM-nb2is]

Superb Dear African Historian well executed 👍🏿🌹

[@davies93313]

The comment section so far hasn't failed my expectation. The usual angry ''professors'' of African studies are already on rampage wishing nobody listened to this lecture ha ha ha.

[@khem127]

I liked this lecture, I paid close attention to the discussion at the beginning where he describes the Muslims as fighting with the Africans. That's correct. The Africans had the books and eventually they began writing them in Arabic as Islam spread through West Africa.

[@cosmicdiasporapoems2916]

Agreed.

[@erpthompsonqueen9130]

Thank you. Outstanding.

[@thefoxxiefoxx8056]

Dang. When he said he concluded the lecture, it felt like it had just begun. I wanted more.

[@amenamen205]

Another excellent presenter from Robin Walker The Black History Man

[@Taporeee]

An outstanding lecture

[@thedailydao]

I really needed this. Thanks!

[@millenialbroadcast]

Excellent material and presentation

[@knownogmos]

Fascinating and a great presentation. Thank you.

[@architectpage7275]

this was brilliant

[@philome100]

Very interesting presentation, Mr Robin Walker

[@asmarshadeed]

Chancellor Williams book is litered with errors and misinformation and the quote from Robin gives a snapshot of that

[@oliverlaw02]

He has fewer errors than in Robin Walker's lightweight books. When Walker stated that Moses wrote exodus without realizing how impossible it would be for Moses to write it if he talked about his own death in the same book. Robin Walker lacks the critical thinking skills to be in Chancellor Williams league.

[@Cheryliiina]

This was so helpful.

[@caroleantoine2782]

Excellent information. 🦋 Thank you Mr. Walker.

[@jimbobpaterson4361]

Great lecture. Very imformative and great head for names and details. Very impressed..

[@jerryj.2346]

Powerpoint presentations make the best youtube videos. What a powerful lecture.

[@a98e98]

Thank you Mr. Walker

[@uniqueweirdo1403]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Bravo! Encore! Encore! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@OUOAT]

Subtract 1000 years from everything in history after the 10th century AD and the puzzle comes together much quicker. (14th century = 4th century.)

[@TealJadeTurquoise1]

Fascinating!

[@EyeLean5280]

Interesting, thank you.

[@Truthandconsciousness]

To all my enlighten family and truth seekers. Thank you all for existing! We are united. Time to get up, standup.

[@adrianaslund8605]

Africa is a blindspot to me historically. The idea that the intellectual history of west Africa was destroyed after 1598 is not just the mainstream position of black scholars. That was my impression as well. So this is exciting.

[@d.c.8828]

Excellent presentation!

[@gnored]

Fascinating presentation. Now I must find more!

[@curtisthomas2670]

At its heights the copying/creation/sale/trade of books and manuscripts was a major portion of the city of Timbuktu's economy. Families competed with each other to amass large and diverse collections and to host and sponsor visiting and local scholars

[@BOOMLifestyle]

ROBIN WALKER, GREATNESS!