The document is a biography of Al-hadji Aliou Kante, a Mandinka scholar from Kombo-Sifo in The Gambia. It documents his life, education, and experience with prominent religious scholars he encountered in his lifetime, including Mame Bamba Barro who was a disciple of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke (1853-1927), the founder of the Muridiyya Sufi order. Besides his biography, other themes in the document include poetry that praises Prophet Muḥammad, the author’s interactions with local scholars, their names, and the places he visited in the region. Al-hadji Aliou Kante is celebrated in his community for having converted many people to Islam and having built several mosques in the Senegambia. This document is typed and written in Arabic.
Custodial history: The manuscript owner copied it from his nephew, Bamba Djiba, who received it from his teacher, Mamading Kante, a son of Al-hadji Aliou Kante from The Gambia.
Extent and format of original material: 93 pages.
Physical characteristics: Bound manuscript.
Owner(s) of original material: Youssouph Demba.
Author(s) of original material: Aliou Kante.
