A significant capacity-building initiative has officially commenced in Mali, spearheaded by the UNESCO Office in Mali and its partner, the NGO SAVAMA-DCI. This program introduces a series of training workshops specifically designed to enhance the preservation and accessibility of Mali’s invaluable ancient manuscripts. These two complementary sessions are set to cover the entire management spectrum of ancient manuscripts, from their initial identification to their systematic documentation, benefiting 15 agents from families who are custodians of these historical texts.
Operating under the umbrella of the project titled « Promoting the preservation and accessibility of endangered African documentary heritage », this collaboration seeks to empower over 70 individuals. Participants include agents from families holding ancient manuscripts, along with students and researchers, all dedicated to better safeguarding and promoting this irreplaceable cultural legacy.
The ancient manuscripts of the Sahel region, particularly those found in Mali, represent an unparalleled repository of knowledge, vividly illustrating the rich historical and intellectual depth of the African continent. Confronted by pressing threats stemming from security crises and the impacts of climate change, the urgent preservation of these documents has emerged as a paramount concern for both national authorities and their international partners.
In light of these challenges, the current project aims to build upon the achievements of prior programs, striving to refine existing practices in the conservation, accessibility, and valorization of this endangered documentary heritage.
The comprehensive training curriculum is structured through a series of focused workshops:
The inaugural workshop, held from June 29 to July 1, 2026, focuses on advanced techniques for prospecting and identifying ancient manuscripts. This session equips participants with crucial skills to locate, pinpoint, and recognize manuscripts within family archives, libraries, and other storage sites.
Following this, a second workshop, scheduled from July 2 to July 4, 2026, delves into the methodologies for inventorying and compiling comprehensive repertoires. Attendees will learn how to systematically gather, organize, and describe manuscript-related information, as well as how to develop standardized descriptive records.
The opening ceremony for these two crucial sessions took place on June 29, 2026. It was presided over by the representative of the Minister of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry and Tourism, and attended by the interim Head of the UNESCO Office in Mali and the Executive President of the NGO SAVAMA-DCI. These sessions are designed to provide a holistic understanding of ancient manuscript management, from initial discovery to detailed documentation, specifically for the 15 agents from families entrusted with these precious texts.
Mr. Mamadou Cissé, technical advisor and representative of the Minister in charge of Culture, affirmed, « The Department of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry and Tourism pledges its unwavering support for the successful execution of this project and will pay close attention to the anticipated results and impacts of this initiative. »
Similarly, Mr. Ali-Mohamed Sinane, Head of the UNESCO Bureau, articulated the profound importance of the effort: « Preserving ancient manuscripts means safeguarding our collective memory, our identity, and our shared history. It also means transmitting an invaluable intellectual heritage to future generations. I express my sincere hope that these workshops will be rich in exchange, learning, and commitment, contributing significantly to the efforts to protect Mali’s documentary heritage. »
Upon the conclusion of these initial two workshops, participants will possess the capability to undertake field missions, accurately identify manuscripts, meticulously describe them, and facilitate their integration into structured inventory systems.
This training program, which will extend over the coming months to benefit students and researchers on topics such as critical editing and translation of ancient manuscripts, marks a pivotal moment in reinforcing national capacities for the protection and valorization of Mali’s ancient manuscripts.
Through these dedicated workshops, UNESCO and its esteemed partners, notably the Government of Japan, unequivocally reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of African documentary heritage. The overarching goal is not only to secure these historical treasures for future generations but also to elevate public awareness and recognition of their immense cultural and historical significance.
