UNESCO Mali and SAVAMA-DCI launch comprehensive capacity-building program for ancient manuscript preservation and accessibility in Mali.

As part of the ongoing project titled “Promoting the Preservation and Accessibility of Endangered African Documentary Heritage,” a significant capacity-building initiative has been officially launched through a series of dedicated training workshops focusing on Mali’s ancient manuscripts.

This crucial undertaking is spearheaded by the UNESCO Office in Mali in collaboration with the NGO SAVAMA-DCI. Its primary goal is to bolster the expertise of over 70 individuals, including agents from families entrusted with ancient manuscripts, as well as students and researchers, thereby enhancing the preservation and promotion of this invaluable cultural legacy.

The ancient manuscripts of the Sahel region, particularly those found in Mali, represent an unparalleled repository of knowledge and serve as powerful testaments to Africa’s rich historical and intellectual heritage. Given the escalating threats posed by security crises and climate change, their diligent preservation has emerged as a paramount concern for both national authorities and their international partners.

Within this context, the current project endeavors to build upon the successes of previous programs and to refine existing practices for the conservation, accessibility, and valorization of Mali’s endangered documentary heritage.

The comprehensive training program is structured around several sequential workshops:

• The inaugural workshop, held from June 29 to July 1, 2026, is dedicated to advanced techniques for prospecting and identifying ancient manuscripts. Participants will gain essential skills to locate, identify, and document manuscripts within family collections, libraries, and other custodial sites.

• The second workshop, scheduled from July 2 to July 4, 2026, will delve into inventory techniques and the creation of systematic repertoires. Attendees will learn how to effectively collect, organize, and describe manuscript-related information, as well as how to develop standardized descriptive records.

These two interconnected sessions, formally inaugurated on June 29, 2026, by the representative of the Minister of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry and Tourism, alongside the Acting 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 meticulous documentation, directly benefiting the 15 agents from families who safeguard these precious texts.

“The Department of Handicrafts, Culture, Hotel Industry and Tourism assures its unwavering support for the successful completion of this project and will pay particular attention to its anticipated results and impacts,” affirmed Mr. Mamadou Cissé, technical advisor and representative of the Minister in charge of Culture.

Mr. Ali-Mohamed Sinane, Head of the UNESCO Office, emphasized the profound significance of the initiative, stating, “To preserve ancient manuscripts is to safeguard our collective memory, our identity, and our shared history. It is also to transmit an invaluable intellectual legacy to future generations. I express my sincere wish that these workshops will be rich in exchanges, learning, and commitment, and that they will contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to protect Mali’s documentary heritage.”

Upon the conclusion of these initial two workshops, participants will possess the capabilities to conduct field missions, accurately identify manuscripts, provide detailed descriptions, and integrate them into structured inventory systems.

This training program, which is set to continue in the coming months for students and researchers, focusing on critical editing and translation of ancient manuscripts, thus marks a pivotal advancement in strengthening national capacities for the protection and valorization of Mali’s ancient manuscripts.

Through these vital workshops, UNESCO and its esteemed partners, including the Government of Japan, unequivocally reaffirm their steadfast commitment to safeguarding African documentary heritage. The overarching objective is not only to preserve these cultural treasures for future generations but also to elevate their public recognition as a cultural heritage of immense historical importance.