How UNESCO and Local Masons Rebuilt Timbuktu's Ancestral Heritage
Reconstructing the earthen mausoleums of Sheikh Aboul Kassim Attawey, Sheikh Mouhamad El Micky & Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit
Timbuktu 46 by Département chargé de la Culture au Mali (DNPC)UNESCO World Heritage
After the 2012 period of occupation by armed groups, many of Timbuktu's historic buildings, such as the 16 mausoleums inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1988, were destroyed. In a spirit of solidarity with Mali, UNESCO has therefore decided to mobilize the international community to rebuild this ancestral heritage.
Timbuktu 18 by Département chargé de la Culture au Mali (DNPC)UNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Aboul Kassim Attawaty before its destruction
This mausoleum is among the oldest in Timbuktu. It is located to the west of the city, and was built in honor of Sheikh Aboul Kassim Attawaty.
Known as a fervent worshipper of Islam, he had the privilege of being unanimously appointed by the population to serve as imam of the Djingareyber Mosque. It was he who instituted the annual feast of Maouloud, celebration of the prophet's birthday.
Timbuktu 19 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum of Sheikh Aboul Kassim Attawaty destroyed
This mausoleum was destroyed on 14 July 2012 by the armed groups occupying the city. Only the door still seems to be in good condition.
Timbuktu 20 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Aboul Kassim Attawaty during its reconstruction
In order to realize the roof of the mausoleum, beams in prowlain are laid and connected together with small saplings, on which will be stored mats of leaves of pron.
It is this set that serves as the basis for the roof before the application of the different layers of earth. This ensures that the building is waterproof.
Timbuktu 21 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Aboul Kassim Attawaty during its reconstruction
In this photo we can see the masons assembling the saplings, which come from a small shrub called "N'Douleï". The saplings strengthen the structure of the roof and allow the mats not to be damaged under the weight of the earth layers.
Timbuktu 22 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Aboul Kassim Attawaty rebuilt
Thanks to the precise work of the masons, the mausoleum was completely rebuilt in 2015, which allowed the inhabitants to come again to gather on the tomb of this Saint.
Timbuktu 23 by Département chargé de la Culture au Mali (DNPC)UNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Mouhamad El Micky before its destruction
This mausoleum is located inside the Cemetery of the Three Saints, to the west of the city. It pays tribute to Cheick Mouhamad El Micky.
Although little information is known about the life of this Saint, it is said of him that he was very pious and that he dedicated his life to the teaching of the Qur'an in a medersa (school) located next to the Djingareyber Mosque.
Timbuktu 24 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Mouhamad El Micky destroyed
Here we can see the state of the mausoleum after its destruction on July 1, 2012 by armed groups.
Timbuktu 25 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Mouhamad El Micky during its reconstruction
Numerous studies have been carried out by architects and archaeologists in order to analyze the state of the structure of the mausoleum and establish which remains and ancient walls would be usable for reconstruction.
Timbuktu 26 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Mouhamad El Micky during its reconstruction
During the repair of the mausoleum, many works are carried out by hand. As can be seen in these photos, the masons mix the earth which will then serve as a mortar of masonry of the stones of Alhores.
Timbuktu 27 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sheikh Mouhamad El Micky rebuilt
After many efforts the mausoleum was finally rebuilt in June 2015.
Timbuktu 28 by Département chargé de la Culture au Mali (DNPC)UNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed during its reconstruction
This mausoleum is located in the north of the city and pays tribute to saint Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed. Around him rest 167 of his peers which attests to his great fame.
A great scholar, he was also a professor, jurisconsult, imam and cadi of the city. Known for having trained many students, he has worked throughout his life to make knowledge more accessible to everyone. To do this he annotated many books in order to illustrate in a simplified way the words of other sages.
Timbuktu 29 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit destroyed
The mausoleum was destroyed in July 2012.
Timbuktu 30 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit during its reconstruction
As can be seen in this photo, each mausoleum consists of one or more gargoyles that allow the water to be evacuated from the roof in order to prevent it from stagnating and damaging the building.
Timbuktu 31 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Mausoleum Sidi Mahmoud Ben Omar Mohamed Aquit rebuilt
As for the reconstruction of the other mausoleums, all the different stages of construction were respected. All that was missing was one last, the ceremony of re-sacralization.
Timbuktu 32 by UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage
Ceremony of sacralization of mausoleums
It was on February 4, 2016 that a re-sacralization ceremony was organized in order to restore the sacredness of these buildings. This celebration and all the efforts that have been made to work towards reconstruction should also be interpreted as the expression of a message, that of resistance to obscurantism and intolerance.
The people of Timbuktu have set an example, and have proved that with courage and unity nothing is impossible when it comes to protecting cultural heritage.
UNESCO, Lazare Eloundou, Juliette Viguerard, Mohammed Alqahtani.
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