MOSLEM PATRON SAINTS OF TIMBUKTU THE SEPULTURES OF SOME OF WHOM SURROUND THE CITY

Timbuktu draws its holiness from a big number of Patron Saints surrounding the city and constituting, for believers, a rampart of protection. It exists there 333 Saints whose tombs are places of meditation. The most venerated are:

1° - SIDI MAHMOUD BEN AMAR BEN MAHAMMED AQUIT

According to traditions, the Cadi Sidi Mahmoud belonged to the Berber tribe of Godala. His ancestors, after a stay in Macina, then in Oualata, settled in Timbuktu. Sidi Mahmoud Ben Amar was the big uncle of Ahmed Baba. Born in 1463/64, He was named Cadi [Islamic Judge], in 1498/99 and died in 1548. The Tarikh of Timbuktu (history of Timbuktu) report many wonders in this connection. His tomb is one of the big destinations of pilgrimage. His descent includes various scientists and politicians.

2° - SANE HADJI

 Sane Hadji was born in Timbuktu, in 868 of Al Hegira. He was the first venerated saint of the City. He died in 956 and was buried at approximately 150 meters in the north of the City. This saint of great reputation had four sons who were well educated and authors of several books. It is told that Sidy Mohammed, at the time of the burial of his brother Al-Hadji Ahmadou, would have remained prostrate, at the time of the presentation of the condolences. When he took again possession of his faculties, he apologised of his dumbness and explained that he was following, until its delivery, the soul of his cousin seized by the angels.

3° - AMAR BEN MOHAMMED AQUIT

 AMAR BEN MOHAMED AQUIT, the father of SIDY MAHMOUD, was also a great saint. He died in Oualata where he moved fleeing persecutions of SONNI ALI-BER. The history books “Tarikh Al Fettach” as well as “Tarikh es-Sudan” reported his vexations with the Tuareg, SONNI ALI-BER and of the consequences of his escape. Taken fear in front of the reputation of the Songhoy sovereign, he took refuge in Oualata, at the time of the conquest of Timbuktu, whereas Sidi Amar called for Help.

4° - MOHAMMED AQUIT

 Mohammed Aquit is the grandfather of Sidy Mahmoud. He lived in Macina. Following a disagreement with Peulhs people of Macina for questions related to marriage, he emigrated to Birou (Oualata). He wanted to be established in Timbuktu under the reign of the Chief Tengueredjef Akil, his enemy. Not daring to enter the City, he settled between Birou and Raz El Ma, his friend, the grandfather of Masira Anda Oumar, the jurisconsult, succeeded in negotiating, with the Chief targui Akil, his installation with his many family in Timbuktu. He stayed there the rest of his life. He is buried at approximately 100 meters in the north of the mausoleum of Sidy Mahmoud.

5° - ALHADJI AHMADOU

 Jurisconsult, Al-hadji Ahmadu would be the son of the first cousin of Sidy Mahmoud according to certain sources, while “Tarikh as-Sudan” says he’s brother of Sidy Mahmoud and the jurisconsult Abdallah noting that: "Ahmed was a saint; Mohammed was a saint; Abdallah was a saint ". “Tarickh as-Sudan” indicates that Al-hadji Ahmed Ben Omar Ben Mohammed- Aquit Ben Omar Ben Ali Ben Yahia Ben Godala would be buried at approximately 100 meters in the south of the mausoleum of this last.

6 ° - AHMED BABA ES-SOUDANI

 Ahmed Baba is the son of Alhadji Amadou. His tomb would be located between that of his father and the mausoleum of his uncle Sidy Mohamoud. A truly well of science, Ahmed Baba left behind an enormous and wide-ranging work, including comment on “Khalil”, praises of the Prophet, two books of history, two books of comments of Hadith (Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad , may peace and grace be upon him), etc.

Ahmed Baba is credited with no less spectacular miracles than his famous uncle. It is noted, in this regard, that during his imprisonment in Marrakech, at the very moment the discussion was engaged between him and marrocan scolars, Ahmed Baba Es- Soudani managed to bring from Timbuktu, in time of need, the book concerning the verdict setlling their dispute. His morrocan opponents saw a hand of woman holding the concerned book. After obtaining his release from the claws of the Sultan of Morroco, Ahmed Baba died at the age of 73 in Timbuktu, in 1036.

7° - DJAMANE HANA

 The second place of meditation, after Sidy Mahmoud, is Djamane Hana, an old mosque whose construction goes up to 949 of Al Hegira. Djamane Hana is in the north of the Secondary Medical Centre of Timbuktu, close to the wind mill pump. It collapsed on 40 Saints burying them under its debris.

8° - SIDY AHMED Ben RAGGADI

 Located at 100 meters in the West of the City, the tomb of Sidy Ahmed Ben Raggadi is the third place of meditation. Great philosopher, Sidy Ahmed had many very educated disciples. He died at the 85 years age, in 1718.

9° - ABU ALKASSIM ATTOUATTI

 The fourth place of meditation is the tomb of Abu Alkassim Attouatti (Aboul Qâsem et-TOUÂTI, Imam), located at 100 meters in the west of the city. Abu Al-Kassim At-Touatti was the founder of the celebration of the festival of Maouloud (anniversary of the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday) In Timbuktu. Big mystic, he devoted his life to the vivification of the faith and the creation of charitable actions: complete reading of the Holy Koran every Friday and creation of the cemetery around the mosque and so on. He was the author of wonders such as distribution of always hot breads to the panegyrists. One day that he went to the mosque, his companions noticed that the side of his long African dress [boubou] was wet. They asked him the reason of that. Abou Al-Kassim explained that he had just saved, in the Debo lake, a shipwrecked man who would have beseeched on his behalf the help of God. Imam of the grand mosque, his house is separated from Djingarey-ber by only a small way. He died at the 33 years age, in 935 (1528-1529) and Sidy Mahmoud was the one who directed the prayer of his burial. He was buried in the new cemetery.

10° - MOHAMMED EL MICKI

 The fifth place of meditation is the tomb of Mohammed el-Micki, located at approximately 30 meters in the south of the tomb of Abu-Kassim. Very pious, Sidy Mohammed el-Micki could easily remain three days without eating, nor to drink. It died at the 80 years age in 1844.

11° - MOHAMMED TAMBA TAMBA

 Located at the western north of the City, The fortress Sidy-el-Beckaye shelters the tomb of Mohammed Tamba-Tamba. It is the sixth place of meditation. Mohammed belonged to the tribe of the Kel-be-Souk who lived in the north of Gao. He would have come in Timbuktu to perfect his knowledge. There he died and was buried in the south-west of the City on the road of Kabara. It was in 1210 of Al Hegira.

12° - EL IMAM ISMAIL

The seventh place of meditation is the tomb of el-Imam Ismail, originating from Djenné. It went to Timbuktu to collect and visit the city there. Unfortunately, he did not reach Timbuktu because he died in three kilometers before the City.

13° - EL IMAM SAID

 The tomb of El-Imam Said is located in the south of the city at approximately twenty meters from the Popular Pharmacy. It is the eighth place of meditation. The Sheik El-Imam Said was originating from Timbuktu City. He died at the 70 years age in 1260.

14° - SIDY MOHAMMED BOUKOU

 Sidy Mohammed Boukou rests in the east of the City. He lived at the beginning of the fourteenth century. He belonged to the tribe of Id Ouali from Chinguiti ( Mauritania). He still has parents in Touat.

15° - SIDY EL-WAFI EL-ARAOUANI

 The tomb of Sidy El Wafi El Araouani is at approximately twenty-five meters in the east of the City. It is the tenth place of meditation. Sidy el-Wafi lived in the twelfth century of Al Hegira (17th century after JC) and he came in Timbuktu with a double aim of collecting and of perfecting his knowledge there. He died there in 1121 of Al Hegira.

16° - ALPHA MOYA LAMTOUNI

 The eleventh place of meditation is the tomb of Alafa Moya Lamtouni, located at the east of the city. Great Saint and big philosopher, Alfa Moya had many disciples. He was assassinated in 1010 of Al Hegira, in company of ten other saints, by the Spanish troops of Djouder which came from Andalusia. He died at the 55 years age.

17° - MOHAMMED SANKARE

 The twelfth place of meditation is the tomb of Mohammed Sankaré, located at the east of the City. Arrived with the aim to continue his studies in Timbuktu, Mohammed Sankaré died there at the 60 years age, at the beginning of the seventeenth century.

18° - SHEIK SIDY EL-MOKHTAR BEN SIDY MOHAMMED

Formerly known under the name of Sidy Kiyar, he was a great Saint of Timbuktu and big philosopher. He knew Heinrich Barth during his passage to Tombouctou. He died at the age 80 years towards 127O of Al Hegira (1853 after JC).

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