Sankoré

The Sankoré Madrasah, often referred to simply as Sankoré, was a significant learning center located in Timbuktu, Mali. It was one of three universities built in Timbuktu during the Mali Empire and Songhai Empire. The other two were Djinguereber and Kalgouye.

Founded in the 14th century, Sankoré grew to become a major hub for Islamic scholarship and learning in West Africa. It attracted students and scholars from across the continent and beyond, fostering a vibrant intellectual environment. The madrasah was particularly renowned for its contributions to astronomy, mathematics, law, and theology.

The curriculum at Sankoré was diverse, encompassing not only religious studies but also practical sciences. Manuscripts produced and studied at Sankoré covered a wide range of subjects, some of which are still preserved today. The institution played a crucial role in the transmission of knowledge and the development of intellectual traditions in the region.

Sankoré, along with the other Timbuktu universities, experienced a decline with the invasion of the city by Moroccan forces in 1591. Despite the challenges, the legacy of Sankoré as a center of learning and its contribution to African intellectual history remain significant. Its existence highlights a period of advanced scholarship and cultural achievement in pre-colonial West Africa.