Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2004
Publication Title
Libraries & Culture
Volume
39
Issue
1
First Page
1
Last Page
12
ISSN
0894-8631
Keywords
Timbuktu, Library History
Abstract
The West African city of Timbuktu flourished as a center for Islamic scholarship from the 14th through the 16th century. The social structure of the city was based on wealth, with further stratification by degree of literacy, and expertise in interpreting Islamic legal texts. As a consequence, books and libraries evolved into blessed symbols of scholarship, wealth, and power. This study explores the history of books and libraries during the Golden Age of Timbuktu (1493--1591), followed by a discussion of the divergence of library practices in Timbuktu from those in the greater Islamic world of the time.
Rights
Singleton, Brent D. "African Bibliophiles: Books and Libraries in Medieval Timbuktu." Libraries & Culture 39.1 (2004): 1-12.
Available in Academic Search Premier: http://libproxy.lib.csusb.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=12187052&site=ehost-live
Recommended Citation
Singleton, Brent D., "African Bibliophiles: Books and Libraries in Medieval Timbuktu" (2004). Library Faculty Publications & Presentations. 21.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/library-publications/21
Included in
African History Commons, African Languages and Societies Commons, Islamic World and Near East History Commons
