The International Museum of Muslim Cultures

Premiere Exhibit: The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word

Companion Exhibit: Islamic Moorish Spain: Its Legacy to Europe and the West

In the last millennium an important global legacy was uncovered—the literate culture of AFRICA—symbolized in the extraordinary richness of historical manuscripts that still survive. These ancient documents reveal that a sophisticated literate culture flourished in the city of Timbuktu.  Timbuktu, located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, was founded in the 13th century. Its role as a center of commerce and education lasted for more than 700 years. A crossroads of international caravan commerce, including the book trade, Timbuktu was also a celebrated center of learning; attracting scholars, students and teachers from all over the world.  The International Museum of Muslim Cultures in partnership with the Mamma Haidara Memorial Library in Timbuktu, Mali is showcasing this glorious age and its legacy to America through the tragic events of the slave trade in an exhibit entitled The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word Exhibition.

Books were not only brought into Timbuktu, but local scholars wrote their own works, and artisans scribed, decorated and bound them in a sophisticated local book production industry. The book industry was tied to the global Islamic knowledge industry –activities that culminated in a complex and highly viable socio-economic model. Leo Africanus, celebrated medieval historian, wrote “the buying and selling of books were more profitable than any other commerce in the city of Timbuktu.” The exhibit’s feature attraction is 25 of the estimated one million manuscripts recently re-rediscovered in the West African country of Mali. Bound in leather, they contain finely articulated calligraphy and colorful, even gilded, illustrations and cover a wide variety of subjects.

In addition to the rare African manuscripts, visitors will experience the rich intellectual and cultural blend of African and Islamic heritage shared through videos and audio production, interactive media, models, artifact displays, and hands-on activities.

Visitors can learn about: 

 Islam’s spread into West Africa
 Life in a leather tent of Saharan caravan traders
 The rise and decline of the great empires of West Africa and their leaders
 The legendary Sankore Mosque and University
 Methods and tools of manuscript production
 French colonialism in Mali and the slave trade
 Life in Mali today and the work of generational artisans;
 Sketches from the lives of African Muslims enslaved in America.

There’s also an interactive laboratory where visitors can listen to Malian musical instruments and contemporary Malian musicians. Visitors can also learn about the link between indigenous West African music and American blues.

IMMC’s inaugural exhibit, Islamic Moorish Spain: Its Legacy to Europe and the West, which opened in April 2001, will be featured along side the current Timbuktu exhibit. This exhibit explores the contributions of Islam to the Renaissance of Europe in science, mathematics, medicine, philosophy, astronomy, agriculture, commerce, architecture, and the arts. This period took place during the Middle Ages, a period in history when Africans and Arabs led Europeans into an age of reason and enlightenment. The exhibit recreates a period marketplace and a diminutive mosque with a 200-year-old minbar (pulpit), mihrab (prayer niche), and a lofty 200-year-old door painted with calligraphic motifs, among other exciting exhibit scenes.

Dates:  OPENING November 28, 2006—December 30, 2007

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. (with possible extended hours
        starting June 2007)

Parking: Metered parking is available on Lamar and Pascagoula Streets, and paid parking lots are adjacent to the building. Passenger drop-off and complimentary parking for tour and school buses is conveniently located behind the building on West Street.

Gift Shop: The Mississippi Museum of Art Store is open during the same hours as the Museum is open and will contain imported items of interest related to the Timbuktu and Moorish Spain exhibits.

Accessibility: Both exhibits are accessible to the physically impaired. Free wheelchairs are available upon request. Please reserve in advance.

Ticket Prices for both Timbuktu and Moorish Spain exhibitions (Individual or Group)
Adults: $13
Senior Adults (60+): $12
Students (6 through College with ID): $7
Children 5 and under: FREE
Adult Groups of 25 or more: $12
Senior (60+) Groups of 25 or more: $10
Student Groups of 25 or more (with ID): $5
International Museum of Muslim Cultures Members: FREE
Also, Mississippi Museum of Art Members will be admitted FREE through May 2007
* Complimentary admission for group tour bus drivers. One chaperone per ten students is
  admitted free. 

Tours: The IMMC offers personalized guided tours for adults and children with two weeks’ advance reservation. Please inquire about multilingual and special needs accommodations. Guided tours are available outside of regular Museum hours. Please contact us at 601-960-0440 or visit us online at http://www.muslimmuseum.org to schedule. A Museum staff member will call you to confirm your reservation.

Enrichment Activities: A wide range of educational programs, including teacher-training workshops, is offered for this exhibition. Special activities in the Learning Laboratory offer hands-on experiences for children and adults. Please contact us at 601-960-0440 or visit us online at http://www.muslimmuseum.org for an updated program schedule. 

Location: The Museum is located at 201 E. Pascagoula Street in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.
From Interstate 55, take the Pearl Street Exit (Exit 96A) into downtown Jackson. Turn left at Lamar Street. The Museum is located two blocks south at the northeast corner of Lamar and Pascagoula Streets.

Credit Lines:

The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word is made possible, in part, through a partnership with the Mamma Haidara Memorial Library in Timbuktu, Mali, and the support of Jackson State University and Tougaloo College as official sponsors; the Mississippi Development Authority/Division of Tourism; Mississippi Arts Commission; Hinds County; Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau; the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation; Emad and Karen Al-Turk; Attorneys Bob Owens and Mike Espy, Andrew and JoAnn Jenkins, Sababu and Okolo Rashid; Jeanne Luckett,  Hisham Syed & Dr. Rubina Inamdar, Entergy,  Jackson Advocate, Muslim Journal, Viking Range; State Street Group; and E.B. “Bud” Robinson; and other generous supporters.

Quote:”Whoever does not inform his children of his grandfathers, then he has destroyed his child, marred his descendents, and injured his offspring the day he dies.” —African Proverb