UNESCO Mali and SAVAMA-DCI inaugurate comprehensive program to bolster preservation and accessibility of Mali’s ancient manuscripts

These two complementary training sessions are designed to cover the entire lifecycle of ancient manuscript management, from initial identification to systematic documentation, benefiting 15 agents representing families who are custodians of these invaluable historical texts.

UNESCO / Dramane Souaré

As part of the initiative titled « Promoting the preservation and accessibility of endangered African documentary heritage », a significant capacity-building program has officially commenced with the launch of a series of training workshops dedicated to Mali’s ancient manuscripts.

Led by the UNESCO Office in Mali in collaboration with the NGO SAVAMA-DCI, this crucial undertaking seeks to enhance the skills of over 70 individuals, including agents from families safeguarding ancient manuscripts, as well as students and researchers, all with the aim of better preserving and promoting this invaluable heritage.

The ancient manuscripts of the Sahel, particularly those found in Mali, represent a unique reservoir of knowledge and serve as powerful testaments to Africa’s rich historical and intellectual legacy. In the face of mounting threats from security crises and the impacts of climate change, their preservation has emerged as a top priority for both national authorities and their international partners.

It is with this critical perspective that the ongoing project endeavors to build upon the successes of previous programs, striving to improve current practices in the conservation, accessibility, and valorization of this imperiled documentary heritage.

The comprehensive training program is structured around several sequential workshops:

• The initial workshop, taking place from June 29 to July 1, 2026, focuses on advanced techniques for prospecting and identifying ancient manuscripts. Participants will gain essential skills to locate, pinpoint, and accurately identify manuscripts held within families, libraries, and other storage sites.
• The second workshop, scheduled for July 2 to July 4, 2026, will delve into inventory methods and the creation of comprehensive directories. Attendees will learn how to effectively collect, organize, and describe manuscript-related information, alongside developing standardized descriptive entries.

These two complementary sessions, inaugurated on June 29, 2026, by the representative of the Minister of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry and Tourism, alongside the interim Head of the UNESCO Office in Mali and the Executive President of the NGO SAVAMA-DCI, are designed to cover the entire spectrum of ancient manuscript management. This ranges from their initial discovery to their systematic documentation, directly benefiting the 15 agents from manuscript-owning families.

“The Department of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry and Tourism assures you of its unwavering support for the success of this project and will pay particular attention to the expected outcomes and impacts,” declared Mr. Mamadou Cissé, technical advisor and representative of the Minister in charge of Culture.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ali-Mohamed Sinane, Head of the Bureau, emphasized that “preserving ancient manuscripts means safeguarding our collective memory, identity, and shared history. It also means transmitting an intellectual legacy of inestimable value 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 completion of these two workshops, the participants will be fully equipped to conduct field missions, accurately identify manuscripts, describe them thoroughly, and contribute to their integration into structured inventory systems.

UNESCO / Dramane Souaré

This comprehensive training initiative, which will extend over the coming months to benefit students and researchers focusing on critical edition and translation of ancient manuscripts, marks a pivotal moment in strengthening national capabilities for the protection and valorization of Mali’s ancient manuscripts.

Through these crucial workshops, UNESCO and its partners, notably the Government of Japan, unequivocally reaffirm their unwavering commitment to safeguarding African documentary heritage. The overarching objective is not only to preserve these irreplaceable treasures for future generations but also to elevate their public recognition as a cultural heritage of profound historical importance, essential for understanding Sahel current affairs and history.