Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Ahmad al-Takruri Al-Massufi al-Timbukti, otherwise commonly known as Ahmad Baba for short, was a well-known teacher, professor, philosopher, Arabic grammarian and an author of over forty books and various works.
Note of the Editor
Ahmad Baba’s work ranged from biographies to commentaries[1] – and he was one of the most celebrated professors. He was also the last Chancellor at the University of Sankore, Timbuktu. The University of Sankore has been compared to other higher education universities during Muslim civilisation such as Al-Azhar in Egypt, Al-Qayrawan in Tunisia, Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco and Qurtuba University in Spain. It is also said to be a source of pride amongst African-Caribbean communities worldwide as it was a great intellectual institution dating back to civilisations in Mali, Ghana and Songhai particularly during the 12th to 16th centuries[2]. Ahmad Baba (also spelled as Ahmed Baba or Ahmet Baba), like many scholars, naturally spent much of his time reading as he did writing and his personal library consisted of over 1,600 different volumes[1].
Natty Mark Samuels is the founder of African School, a Cultural Education project based in Oxford. This initiative provides teaching in African Studies with a focus on pre-colonial sub-Saharan cultures and early Black journalism. It is working towards developing specialisms in medieval Ethiopian Christianity and sub-Saharan Islamic scholarship. Natty Mark is also a Visiting Tutor at Ruskin College, Oxford and at Oxford Spires and Isis Academies. In honour of the memory of Ahmad Baba and recognition of his works, Natty dedicated the following poem.
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| ~ I ~ 1st voiceHere comes the sandTo cover everything -Camouflaging.But before it does, I honour an African Teacher, Of Ahmed Baba I must sing. We know you are coming Sahara Desertification We know you are coming Manuscript destruction Hold off for a while Until we’ve finished this recording Beautiful calligraphy, Illustrations in gold – Lovingly bound in leather. Termite is no respecter of beauty, He just comes along, Always claiming his booty. Because of insect, heat, Dust and grit – A very precious thing, Is disappearing bit by bit. To sing of African treasure, Lost in the sand. So fragile and brittle, The careful human hand. Stay away Sahara, We pray you stay away, For just a little longer. To sing of the African gems, Song of the shinning scholar. Tell the whole wide world, Of gold that came from paper. His father was a teacher, Destined to be one too. The most famous professor, University of Timbuktu. And though the sand Keeps coming in, Choking, Burying. And though the sandstorm, Throw his weight around. It can’t stop me! Of teacher Baba I must sing. Sankore Sankore, Bless your name Sankore. We sing of Ahmed Baba, The last great Chancellor. Timbuktu, Where the slaves came through – Gold and salt too. Timbuktu Of the Tuareg, Turban indigo blue. Timbuktu Of Fulani – And Hausa merchant crew. A golden age of peace; For Christian, Muslim And Jew Timbuktu Of schools and scholars, Manuscripts and books. The sweet pursuit of learning, In every library, Space and nook. From all over the world, Books innumerable – The city of the libraries Binding 2nd voice Inkmaking 3rd voice Copying 1st voice Illustration Massive book industry, Employing thousands – Skills that gave them dignity. Books, Multitude of books – More than the eye will ever see. Library after library; Sankore, Sidi Yahya, Jjingereber; Timbuktu University. Who was Ahmed Baba’s teacher? Who started that river flow? From Jenne on the Niger, The renowned Mohammed Bagayogo. In his time of hajj, They gave him a badge. Honorary degree, Ancient Egypt. Old Cairo – Al Azhar University. Because of word passed down, Because of manuscript, We know his contribution. Of that we know. In singing of Ahmed Baba, We honour Mohammed Bagayogo. Both wrote books on Medicine and History Voices 16th century 2nd voice On Law and Philosophy Voices 16th century 3rd voice Mathematics and Astronomy Voices 16th century 1st voice Signposts for you and me Voices 21st century Sankore Sankore, Bless your name Sankore. We sing of Ahmed Baba, The last great Chancellor. Here comes the invader, With European partner – Cannon and musketry. Burnt the books, Banished the teachers – The Songhei Tragedy. Marrakesh Men, Didn’t come on their own – Came with mercenary. Came from Spain In their thousands – The latest weaponry. All the libraries, Public and private, Put to the torch or robbed. The student howled, Bookbinder wept, Professor began to sob. Wave of invasion, Rage of destruction, When ignorance is rife. The scribe became ill, Illustrator broke down, The inkmaker took his life. Battering of beauty, Crucifixion of culture – The nail goes in and in. The elder screams, ”Timbuktu” My Timbuktu is dying. Teachers of Timbuktu, The Chain-gang Professors. Exile of the Educator, Away across the Sahara. Across the Sahara, Across the desert in chains. Robbed a piece of our soul, Took the best of our brains. Across the Sahara, Across the desert in chains. Accused of rebellion, Ahmed Baba in chains. Time for everything they say – A time for pain Locked in Moroccan prison, But his light shone out. Here comes Marrakesh scholar, Ahmed Baba’s name they shout. Captive of the Sultan, Open arrest in Marrakesh. Living the same old vision, Time to dream afresh. Students galore, No room for anymore. The legal men came too, Asking questions of the law. Slow trudge of exile, Year after year after year. Ahmed Baba in his house, Shedding the quiet tear. Sankore Sankore, Bless your name Sankore. We sing of Ahmed Baba, The last great Chancellor. 1st voice The old Sultan died, Another stepped in. Ahmed Baba went to see him – Man of successful petition. After 12 years, Going home, Teardrop for Timbuktu. To see beloved city, Familiar faces – The elders and the new. A city changed, No longer at its best, Beauty in decline. Our hero wept, To see Timbuktu, No longer able to shine. Dry 2nd voice Wasteland 3rd voice Where are the farmers? Voices Gone to another place. 3rd voice Dry 2nd voice Where are the teachers?
Voices Gone to another place. Lovers of light and wisdom, They ran to freedom’s embrace. Invasions means disruption, Means economic confusion, Tribal rivalry. Here comes Tuareg 2nd voice Here comes Bambara 3rd voice Here come the Mossi Born to teach, Born to write. Timbuktu dark Or Timbuktu light. Ahmed Baba, Born to teach and write. Farewell Golden Age. I’m glad I knew you. Glad I participated in your shining. I bask in your reflection. Warmed by your brilliance. And although I no longer have my library, I bear the imprint, the hallmark of learning. It has been a privilege, blessed Timbuktu, to have been a teacher within you. Ring the bell of learning, Loudly let it ring. To celebrate a great teacher, Of Ahmed Baba I must sing. Stay away Sahara, We pray you stay away, For just a little longer. Sankore Sankore, Bless your name Sankore. We sing of Ahmed Baba, The last great Chancellor. |
 Muslim Heritage: The University of Sankore Image: Sankore Mosque that houses the University Campus in Mali. ***  Muslim Heritage: Lecture on Timbuktu Manuscripts at Al-Furqan Foundation
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| Poem by Natty Mark Samuels |
[1] Effiong, P. (2013). Ahmed Baba: Malian Scholar. [Online]. Available: https://www.philip-effiong.com/Ahmed-Baba-Scholar.pdf [2015, 20 May]
[2] Khair, Z. (2003). The University of Sankore. [Online]. Available: https://muslimheritage.com/node/1792 [2015, 20 May]
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