The Book Began

Transliterated title: Kitaaboo Foloota.

The document is a Mandinka Ajami devotional poem titled Kitaaboo Foloota (English: The Book Began), which alludes to the beginning of the Quran. The poem praises God and Prophet Muḥammad and teaches tawḥīd (English: oneness of God). The poem is very popular among Mandinka scholars, and has been found in several other collections.

Extent and format of original material: 56 pages.

Physical characteristics: Unbound manuscript. There are signs of water damage in the manuscript.

Owner(s) of original material: Yancouba Seydi.

Additional script information: Mandinka Ajami.