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The world-class university of Sankore, Timbuktu

Article · January 2003

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The world-class university of Sankore, Timbuktu

By:
Zulkifli Khair

o Zulkifli Khair (2003). ‘The world-class university of Sankore, Timbuktu’ in

MuslimHeritage.com; 5 June 2003 at
http://www.muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=371 – has been read by
more than a million of people.

Sankore's achievement in higher education is important to Islamic Civilisation even though it is

less known in comparison to Al-Azhar, Al-Qayrawan, Al-Qarawiyyin and Qurtuba Universities.

Sankore's achievement in higher education is important to Islamic civilisation even though it was
less known in comparison to Al-Azhar, Al-Qayrawan, Al-Qarawiyyin and Qurtuba Universities.

It is also said to be a source of pride amongst African-Carribean communities worldwide, as it

was a great intellectual institution dating back to civilisations in Mali, Ghana and Songhay -
particularly during the 12th to 16th centuries.

The University of Timbuktu is often referred to as the ‘University of Sankore', as there are two
other universities in Timbuktu, 'Jingaray Ber' and 'Sidi Yahya'. The University of Sankore is
located in the North East district of Timbuktu and housed within the Sankore Mosque.

The Sankore Mosque was founded in 989 CE by the erudite chief judge of Timbuktu, Al-Qadi
Aqib ibn Mahmud ibn Umar. He had built the inner court of the mosque parallel to the exact
dimensions of the Ka'abah in Makkah. A wealthy Mandinka lady financed Sankore University
making it the leading centre of education. The Sankore University prospered and became a very
significant seat of learning in the Muslim world, especially under the reign of Mansa Musa
(1307-1332) and the Askia Dynasty (1493-1591).
Figure 1: The University of Sankore was one of the world's famous learning centres
during the Middle Ages.

Figure 2: The knowledge city of Timbuktu is now located in Mali.

Figure 3: Historical map of Timbuktu From Mittheilungen aus Justus Perthes'
Goergraphischer Anstalt uber Wichtige Neue Erforschungen auf dem Gesammtgebiete
der Geographie von Dr A. Petermann. Volume 1, 1855.

The University of Sankore had no central administration; rather, it was composed of several
entirely independent schools or colleges, each run by a single master (scholar or professor). The
courses took place in the open courtyards of mosque complexes or private residences. The
principle subject matter taught at the University included Qur'anic and Islamic studies, law along
with literature. Other subjects included medicine and surgery, astronomy, mathematics, physics,
chemistry, philosophy, language and linguistics, geography, history, as well as art. Students were
also reported to have spent time in learning a trade along with relevant business code and ethics.
The university trade shops offered classes in business, carpentry, farming, fishing, construction,
shoe making, tailoring, navigation, etc. It prospered and became a very significant seat of
learning in the Muslim world. It was claimed that the intellectual freedom enjoyed in Western
Universities was inspired from universities like those in Sankore and Qurtuba (Muslim Spain).

Memorising the Qur'an and mastering the Arabic language was compulsory for students; as
Arabic was the lingua franca of the university, as well as the language of trade and commerce in
Timbuktu. Withstanding a few manuscripts, which are in Songhay and another a'jami language,
all the remaining 70,000 manuscripts that are believed to have originated from the University of
Sankore are in Arabic. The Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London published a list of
these manuscripts, which can be found in a 5-volume collection in the Ahmed Baba library. The
highest, or "superior" degree level (equivalent to PhD) is reported to have taken students 10
years to undertake. During the graduation ceremony, the graduates had to wear the traditional
turban to represent the name ‘Allah' which Muslims believe symbolises divine light, wisdom,
knowledge, and excellent moral conduct. What is more, graduates had to demonstrate excellent
character, and care for Islamic values and education prior to receiving their graduation invitation.
Figure 4: Sankore Mosque that houses the University Campus in Mali.

Similar to other Islamic universities, the University of Sankore granted admission to students
originating from diverse backgrounds. Around the 12th century, it is reported that there was an
attendance of 25,000 students, in a city of 100,000 people. The university was renowned for its
high standards and admission requirements, which in turn produced world-class scholars,
recognised by their publications and graduates. Quoting the French author Felix Dubois in his
book, Timbuctoo the Mysterious:

"The scholars of Timbuctoo (Timbuktu) yielded in nothing, to the saints in the sojourns in the
foreign universities of Fez, Tunis, and Cairo. They astounded the most learned men of Islam by
their erudition. That these Negroes were on a level with the Arabian savants is proved by the fact
that they were installed as professors in Morocco and Egypt. In contrast to this, we find that
Arabs were not always equal to the requirements of Sankore." Felix Dubois

The most famous scholar of Timbuktu was Ahmad Baba as-Sudane (1564-1627), the final
Chancellor of Sankore University. He penned over 60 books on various subjects including law,
medicine, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, etc. He was a matchless jurist, professor, and
Imam of his time. In 1593, during the Moroccan invasion, he was deported to Fez, while most of
his work was destroyed.

Other celebrated figures from Sankore include: Mohammed Bagayogo as-Sudane al-Wangari al-
Timbukti (Conferred an honorary Doctorate from Al-Azhar University during his visit to Cairo
en-route to undertaking the Hajj (mandated holy pilgrimage)); Modibo Mohammed al-Kaburi;
Abu al-Abbas Ahmad Buryu ibn; Ag Mohammed ibn Utman; Abu Abdallah; and Ag
Mohammed Ibn Al-Mukhtar An-Nawahi.

Most of these scholars were of the Maliki School of thought and followed the Qadiriyyah tariqat
(spiritual path); many of them already being graduates from other educational establishments in
Fez, Tunis, Cairo, and Makkah in the early history of Sankore.
 The University of Sankore is still functioning but with little resources. The Muslim world and
UNESCO need to preserve, maintain, and support what was once a most formidable institution
of learning that contributed greatly to our present Civilisation.

For a review of the historical development of the University of Sankore, please find a timeline
for the period 900 to 1960 CE.

References:

1. Dubois, F. (1897) Timbuctoo the Mysterious. Translation from the French by Diana White.
London: Heinemann.
2. Hunwick, J. (No date). The Islamic Manuscript Heritage of Timbuktu. [Online]. Available:
http://www.sum.uio.no/research/mali/timbuktu/manuscript%20heritage%20tim... [2003, 22
March].
3. Muhammad Shareef. (No date). About Sankore [Online]. Available:
http://www.sankore.org/About%20Sankore.htm [2003, 17 March].
4. Sadi, Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdullah. (1999). Timbuktu and the Songhay Empire: Al-Sadi's
Tarikh al-Sudan down to 1613, and other contemporary documents. Translated and edited by
John O. Hunwick. Boston, Mass.:Brill.
5. Timbuktu Education Foundation. (2002). University of Timbuktu [Online]. Available:
http://www.timbuktufoundation.org/university.html [2003, 14 March].
6. List of Manuscripts in Ahmed Baba of Timbuktu. Al-Furqan Heritage Foundation, London.

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