Mauritania's Sahara Desert Home, Chinguetti, Faces Uncertain Future as Encroaching Sands Threaten Ancient Libraries
Seventy-seven-year-old Saif Islam carefully stroked his grey beard as he sat amidst the dusty courtyard of a library in Chinguetti, a small desert settlement in Mauritania. His traditional boubou gown striped in blue hues seemed out of place among the sand-dusted stones, yet its vibrant colors stood in stark contrast to the desolate landscape that loomed beyond.
"This city has been forgotten," Islam said, his eyes filled with a sense of urgency. "It's these books that gave it history, importance." His gaze drifted towards a 10th-century Qur'an, its pages worn and brown with age. The manuscript held secrets and knowledge from the medieval era, testifying to Chinguetti's rich cultural heritage.
The once-thriving town, nestled in the heart of the Sahara Desert, had been a vital stopping point for trans-Saharan trade caravans. Its libraries – some dating back to the 11th century – served as hubs for Islamic and scientific scholarship, earning it the nickname "the Sorbonne of the desert" or "Africa's spiritual capital."
However, the relentless march of the desert sands has threatened to bury this ancient treasure trove of knowledge. Residents have left, tourist numbers have plummeted, and many of the libraries now stand as empty shells, their manuscripts exposed to the elements.
Islam, who was born and raised in Chinguetti before returning to his hometown in 2015, is determined to save the town's heritage from disappearing forever. He works tirelessly to promote the Al Ahmed Mahmoud Library Foundation, one of only two libraries still open to the public.
"The tourist season is from September or sometimes December to March," Islam explained, gesturing towards a small air conditioner that struggled to combat the scorching Sahara sun. "Before, hundreds of tourists came daily. Now, it's barely 200 per season. After Covid, tourism dropped drastically. The insecurity in Mali affects Mauritania too."
Islam's efforts are bolstered by international collaborations, such as the Madrid-based nonprofit Terrachidia, which has helped restore several libraries using traditional building techniques and local materials.
"It was fantastic," said Mamen Moreno, a Spanish landscape architect who co-founded Terrachidia. "Some children had never been there before although they have always lived in Chinguetti."
Moreno's sentiments were echoed by Islam, who emphasized the importance of community involvement in preserving Chinguetti's heritage. "Cities, like houses, are preserved when they are inhabited," he said.
As the desert sands continue to creep into the town, Islam and his fellow residents must work together to save this ancient city from the brink of oblivion. The fate of Chinguetti hangs precariously in the balance, a poignant reminder that cultural heritage is not just a relic of the past but a living, breathing entity that requires constant care and attention.
Seventy-seven-year-old Saif Islam carefully stroked his grey beard as he sat amidst the dusty courtyard of a library in Chinguetti, a small desert settlement in Mauritania. His traditional boubou gown striped in blue hues seemed out of place among the sand-dusted stones, yet its vibrant colors stood in stark contrast to the desolate landscape that loomed beyond.
"This city has been forgotten," Islam said, his eyes filled with a sense of urgency. "It's these books that gave it history, importance." His gaze drifted towards a 10th-century Qur'an, its pages worn and brown with age. The manuscript held secrets and knowledge from the medieval era, testifying to Chinguetti's rich cultural heritage.
The once-thriving town, nestled in the heart of the Sahara Desert, had been a vital stopping point for trans-Saharan trade caravans. Its libraries – some dating back to the 11th century – served as hubs for Islamic and scientific scholarship, earning it the nickname "the Sorbonne of the desert" or "Africa's spiritual capital."
However, the relentless march of the desert sands has threatened to bury this ancient treasure trove of knowledge. Residents have left, tourist numbers have plummeted, and many of the libraries now stand as empty shells, their manuscripts exposed to the elements.
Islam, who was born and raised in Chinguetti before returning to his hometown in 2015, is determined to save the town's heritage from disappearing forever. He works tirelessly to promote the Al Ahmed Mahmoud Library Foundation, one of only two libraries still open to the public.
"The tourist season is from September or sometimes December to March," Islam explained, gesturing towards a small air conditioner that struggled to combat the scorching Sahara sun. "Before, hundreds of tourists came daily. Now, it's barely 200 per season. After Covid, tourism dropped drastically. The insecurity in Mali affects Mauritania too."
Islam's efforts are bolstered by international collaborations, such as the Madrid-based nonprofit Terrachidia, which has helped restore several libraries using traditional building techniques and local materials.
"It was fantastic," said Mamen Moreno, a Spanish landscape architect who co-founded Terrachidia. "Some children had never been there before although they have always lived in Chinguetti."
Moreno's sentiments were echoed by Islam, who emphasized the importance of community involvement in preserving Chinguetti's heritage. "Cities, like houses, are preserved when they are inhabited," he said.
As the desert sands continue to creep into the town, Islam and his fellow residents must work together to save this ancient city from the brink of oblivion. The fate of Chinguetti hangs precariously in the balance, a poignant reminder that cultural heritage is not just a relic of the past but a living, breathing entity that requires constant care and attention.
its like 77 yrs old man saif ishtem carefully restoring these ancient libraries & he's all "hey we need to save our history" 
and i'm over here thinking same thing lol but seriously the guy has been working so hard & collaborating with international orgs like Terrachidia 
it's crazy how ppl are coming together to preserve this cultural heritage 
u know what's wild though? some kids in chinguetti have never even SEEN the library before despite living there their whole lives 
anyway i'm all about saving our books & history too let's do this 
their town is literally being swallowed up by the desert sands and it's heartbreaking to think about all the history and culture that's disappearing 
those libraries are like a treasure trove of knowledge and I can imagine how frustrating it must be for him to see them in such a state 
he's really making a difference with his foundation and the international collaborations 
they got these old libraries w/ manuscripts from medieval times that's wild i dont know if its possible but can u imagine preservin whole cities in sandstorms lol
I feel so bad for this tiny desert town, its libraries are like treasures from another era... 
️ it's heartbreaking to think they might be lost forever because of climate change 
. Can you imagine having an entire city just abandoned? 
It's not just the physical books that are at risk but also the history and culture that come with them 
. But on a brighter note, I love that there are people like Saif Islam and Mamen Moreno working together to preserve Chinguetti's heritage 
. It just goes to show that even in the face of uncertainty, community spirit can make all the difference 
.
it's like they're literally being swallowed up by the sands of time... 70 year old saif islam's passion for preserving their history and culture is so inspiring 
i mean, those ancient libraries are like a treasure trove of knowledge and the fact that he's working tirelessly to promote the foundation is amazing 
And on the other hand, I feel bad for Saif Islam and the community because these libraries hold so much cultural significance 
. Maybe we should be more optimistic? Like, if we work together as a community and get some international help, we can totally save Chinguetti's heritage! 
. I'm glad Saif Islam is workin' tirelessly to save the town's heritage, but man, it's gonna take a community effort to keep this city from gettin' buried under all that sand 
in Chinguetti, Mauritania. It's like they're slowly disappearing into the desert sands 
. Saif Islam's efforts to promote the Al Ahmed Mahmoud Library Foundation are really inspiring.
. It's not just about saving books and manuscripts; it's about preserving a way of life and culture that's unique to our world. We need to do everything we can to support initiatives like this and ensure that Chinguetti's heritage is protected for future generations 
.
perhaps there's a way to harness the economic benefits of tourism while also respecting the environmental impact... just something to think about 
. i mean, can you imagine walking into one of those 11th-century libraries and just being surrounded by all that knowledge and history? it's mind-blowing, dude.