المخطوطات الجزائرية في الخزائن والمكتبات الإفريقية (مكتبة ماما حيدرة للمخطوطات والوثائق (مالي) أنموذجا)

Algerian Manuscripts in African Libraries and Collections (The Mamma Haidara Manuscript and Document Library in Mali as a Case Study)

Abstract

        African libraries and archives are home to numerous manuscripts authored by Algerian scholars from various regions of the country. One of the most prominent centers of Algerian manuscripts in Africa is the Mamma Haidara Manuscripts Library in Mali, housing around 220 manuscripts solely attributed to Algerian scholars. Established in the mid-9th century AH (15th century AD) in the village of Bamba, the library has grown to accommodate over 42,000 manuscripts, with approximately 5,000 cataloged. The collection spans diverse subjects including Quranic sciences, Hadith, Fiqh, theology, literature, grammar, Sufism, astronomy, and more. The library's significance lies not only in its historical collections but also in its connection with the scholarly migration of Algerian intellectuals to Africa. Many Algerian scholars settled in Mali due to historical relations between Algerian and Malian cities, contributing to the growth of scholarly centers like Timbuktu. However, challenges such as  fires,  building collapse, and theft have led to the loss of a substantial portion of these manuscripts. This paper highlights the cultural and historical value of the Mamma Haidara Library and explores the role of Algerian scholars in the intellectual and cultural history of West Africa. It also discusses the preservation efforts undertaken to safeguard these invaluable manuscripts, which continue to represent a critical part of the Algerian heritage dispersed across Africa.