Transliterated title: Saalaaloo.
The manuscript belongs to the genre called Saalaaloo (incantation) in Mandinka. These incantatory texts are common in Mandinka communities as they are common in other West African Muslim societies. They are meant to be recited. They are used for protection from evil eyes, evil tongues, and evil spirits, among others. Like many of the texts in this collection, the text is bilingual. While mostly written in Mandinka Ajami, it includes common Islamic doxologies and litanies in Arabic believed to be potent. The Mandinka language used in the text is also esoteric and is believed to be potent. The Mandinka language used in the text is phonologically and lexically different from the variety commonly used in natural communication.
Custodial history: The current owner of the manuscript (Abdou Karim Thiam) inherited it from his father (Nimbaly Thiam) who died in the 2015 Mina stampede in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Extent and format of original material: 10 pages.
Physical characteristics: Unbound manuscript. There are stains on some of the pages, and some have frayed or chipped edges.
Owner(s) of original material: Abdou Karim Thiam.
Author(s) of original material: Imam Nimbaly Thiam.
Additional language information: Mandinka with Arabic phrases.
Additional script information: Mandinka Ajami.
