In the heart of Chinguetti, Mauritania, a guardian of a literary legacy meticulously tends to a collection of ancient manuscripts, embodying the town’s rich history as a beacon of Islamic scholarship and culture. Once a thriving center of trade and learning, Chinguetti now faces challenges from climate change and urban migration, yet its enduring spirit is preserved by individuals like Muhammad Gholam el-Habot. Their commitment to safeguarding these invaluable texts reflects a profound respect for their cultural heritage and the pursuit of knowledge.
Chinguetti, Mauritania – Bookkeeper Muhammad Gholam el-Habot carefully donned a pair of white gloves, embarking on his daily tasks in a spacious library adorned with steel bookshelves. He delicately opened a thick manuscript printed in Arabic, paging through its fragile leaves in search of damage. With a satisfied thud, he closed the book, caressing its aged leather cover before placing it in a protective cardboard box.
These manuscripts are monumental to el-Habot and his family, providing a bond akin to that of a father and child. In the gentle glow of midday sunlight filtering through the wooden doors, he expressed this sentiment in Hassaniya Arabic, his grasp of language infused with emotion. The buzzing of flies accompanied him as he reflected on his duty: “We must protect them until the end of time,” he declared.
The el-Habot family library represents one of the last bastions of its kind in Chinguetti, a medieval town located in the northern Adrar region of Mauritania. Once a vital hub for commerce and Islamic learning between the 13th and 17th centuries, Chinguetti has seen a significant decline as locals pursue opportunities in larger cities.
As time marches on, Chinguetti grapples with the challenges presented by climate change. Predominantly situated within the Sahara Desert, Mauritania experiences the effects of human-induced climate degradation, leading to an increase in sandstorms and erratic weather patterns that threaten the preservation of precious texts. Andrew Bishop, a researcher from the University of Wyoming studying the climate’s impact on Saharan cultures, notes that extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall pose significant risks to these manuscripts, rendering many irreparably damaged.
Many of Chinguetti’s 4,500 inhabitants now reside in modern cement structures outside the historical ksar, constructed from dry stone and red mudbrick. There are mounting concerns that the town’s expansive area, approximately the size of Prague, could succumb to encroaching sand dunes, though a timeline for such an event remains uncertain.
El-Habot did not always intend to inherit the role of bookkeeper. When his father fell ill in 2002, he took on the honor and responsibility of safeguarding 1,400 manuscripts, viewing it as a noble familial obligation. He worries that his sons may not share the same commitment, as many of their peers venture to seek opportunities in the capital city of Nouakchott.
The family manuscripts are regarded with reverence due to their rarity and historic lineage. El-Habot’s ancestor, Sidi Mohamed Ould Habot, was among a select few Chinguetti scholars who traveled across the Muslim world in pursuit of knowledge between the 18th and 19th centuries. Collectively, these scholars gathered approximately 6,000 works on myriad topics, including Islamic jurisprudence, mathematics, medicine, and poetry.
At its zenith, Chinguetti earned the title of “Islam’s seventh holiest city” and the moniker “Sorbonne of the Sahara” by UNESCO, renowned for its strategic position along trans-Saharan trade routes. Pilgrims on their way to Mecca would often stop in Chinguetti to mentally and spiritually prepare for their arduous journeys, exchanging religious and scientific texts in a flourishing atmosphere of learning.
Despite the decline of caravan trade routes leading to diminished local population and resources, el-Habot remains steadfast in his commitment to preserving the family library. Yet, the harsh realities of their environment have made this preservation challenging. Mohamed laments the absence of young community members willing to engage with Chinguetti’s cultural heritage.
UNESCO recognized Chinguetti’s historic and cultural significance in 1996, designating it as a World Heritage Site alongside three other Mauritanian ksour. While renovation efforts are allowed, they are minimal to preserve the traditional stone architecture and Moorish style. Surrounding Chinguetti lie the excavated ruins of Abweir, an ancient site believed to have existed before Chinguetti was established.
While el-Habot’s work can be demanding, he finds fulfillment in protecting the invaluable texts within his care. Funding for preservation efforts and climate control measures is critical to ensuring the survival of these manuscripts, especially in light of the tourism industry’s slow recovery post-pandemic.
In 2024, a UNESCO initiative allocated funds for restoration, providing air conditioning, computers, and storage solutions to 13 family libraries. However, the survival of the libraries largely hinges on the willingness of younger generations to embrace the cultural legacy of their forebears.
As el-Habot continues his meticulous work, he remains acutely aware of his role in protecting a treasure that holds significance for humanity as a whole. “I have to protect this heritage,” he states, embodying the deep connection between past, present, and future. #CultureNews #MiddleEastNews