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 Timbuktu Manuscripts
Millions of ancient manuscripts from Timbuktu and the
Great Empires of West Africa radically changed the image and legacy of Africans and African Americans
in world history. Dismissed for
centuries as simple and illiterate by the West, a flood of recently resurfaced documents in Africa
clearly prove the existence of highly literate and complex societies that valued education more than their
vast reserves of gold.
The
Legacy of Timbuktu exhibit will walk visitors through the highly literate culture that flourished in the City
of Timbuktu beginning in the 14th century, clearly refuting stereotypical depictions of a strictly oral history
tradition. The most
significant benefit of the exhibit is the documented knowledge that African Americans will learn,
particularly the youth, of the literacy of their ancestors and the positive contributions that Africans made
to the world community.
The feature attraction of the exhibit will be a display of rare African
manuscripts that prove the dominance of literacy and learning characterizing Timbuktu for over 700 years. There is an
estimated one million manuscripts that have been re-discovered in the West African country of Mali in recent years. There will also be interactive, instructional spaces designed especially for
children. The exhibit will be supplemented with educational and
outreach programs that deliver this critically important message outside of the museum
walls.
Complementing the central manuscript exhibit will be displays comprised of in situ
reproductions designed with the assistance of Malian scholars, historians, and artisans with genuine and reproduced
artifacts loaned and gathered in Mali for this exhibit as well as for the
permanent collection of the IMMC. The exhibit design will feature such contextual environments as the façade of the
legendary Sankoré Mosque and University in Timbuktu, frequented by the world's leading scholars during the Middle
Ages.
Fort Worth Museum is
First Traveling Venue
 The Fort Worth Museum of Science & History recently contracted with the
International Museum of Muslim Cultures (IMMC) to be the first
traveling venue to host "The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word" in the
world-renowned Cultural and Arts District in Fort Worth, Texas.
This historically and culturally significant exhibition will
draw from the many diverse communities in North Texas and the surrounding states. It is the recipient of numerous
prestigious awards and grants including the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Kellogg Foundation,
and the Nissan Foundation to name only a few.
After its stay in Fort Worth, Texas, the "Legacy of Timbuktu"
will travel to major museum venues around the United States over the next ten years.
Help spread the word about Timbuktu!
The "Legacy of Timbuktu" premiere will consist of the
exhibition, as well as cultural events, and educational programs. See how you can become a part of this effort to
change a mis-guided history with facts, set to inspire and motivate all our youth with the long-hidden legacy of
Timbuktu.
Join the conversation with us on Twitter (use hashtag
#TimbuktuTexas), "like" us on Facebook, and sign up for special offers and email updates. Enjoy the benefits of
becoming an sponsor at a number of support levels. Find out about unique opportunities and affinity programs for
organizations to raise funds.
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