This manuscript is a copy of a another manuscript composed originally by Fulani Islamic leader Al-Hajj Umar Taal (ca. 1794 - 1864) sometime between and 1863. The current manuscript was copied by Shaykh Ahmad Ndiaye aka Demba Raabi from the town of Ndioum, Futa Toro (northern Senegal). According to the current custodian, Al-Hajj Umar Taal had been reading several Arab authors, including Shaykh Abu Zayd. He acknowledges in the book that those authors inspired his writing of this manuscript. Safina is one of the most famous writings of the author who is well known in West African history. It contains twenty-eight qasida poems based on the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet. The poems are ordered alphabetically.
Ce manuscrit est une copie d'un autre manuscrit composé à l'origine par le chef islamique peul Al-Hajj Umar Taal (vers 1794 - 1864) entre et 1863. Le manuscrit actuel a été copié par Shaykh Ahmad Ndiaye alias Demba Raabi de la ville de Ndioum, Futa Toro (nord du Sénégal). Selon le gardien actuel, Al-Hajj Umar Taal avait lu plusieurs auteurs arabes, dont Shaykh Abu Zayd. Il reconnaît dans le livre que ces auteurs ont inspiré son écriture de ce manuscrit. Safina est l'un des écrits les plus célèbres de l'auteur bien connu de l'histoire de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Il contient vingt-huit poèmes qasida basés sur les 28 lettres de l'alphabet arabe. Les poèmes sont classés par ordre alphabétique.
Extent: 1 manuscript containing 312 pages.
Size and dimensions of original material: Height 20.5cm, width 17cm, depth 3cm.
Condition of original material: unbound file, file tied around with rope over hard carton covers, pages are clearly legible, black and red ink, foxing on paper, pages slightly torn on edges, not affecting content.
Alternative calendar and date: Islamic, 4 Ramadan 1323.
Author(s)/Creator(s): Al Hajj Umar Taal.
Scribe(s): Shaykh Ahmad Ndiaye aka Demba Raabi.
Related countries: Senegal; Mauritania; Mali; Nigeria; Guinea; Saoudi Arabia.
Related regions: West Africa, North Africa, Middle East.
Related towns/cities: Futa Toro; Masina; Segu; Dakar; Ndioum.
