Preserving the Past: Understanding Arabic Manuscript Conservation in Nigeria (Part One)

By Hassan Kasim, Aishatu Suleiman, Aliyu M. Yerima & Shuaibu Haruna
Education and Museum Departments, National Museum Gombe & Eco-Museum Hong, Adamawa State, Nigeria

What Is a Manuscript?

The term manuscript (abbreviated as Ms. for singular and Mss. for plural) originates from the Latin manu scriptus, meaning “written by hand.” Unlike printed materials, manuscripts are handwritten records, including those etched or inscribed on hard surfaces. Nigeria’s Arabic and Ajami manuscript heritage is a treasure trove of history, largely housed in public institutions and private collections across the country.

Key Collections of Arabic Manuscripts in Nigeria

Public repositories of Arabic and Ajami manuscripts include:

National Archives, Kaduna

Arewa House, Kaduna

Jos Museum

Waziri Junaidu History Bureau, Birnin Kebbi

Centre for Islamic Studies Library, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan

Northern History Research Scheme, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Postgraduate Research Unit, Bayero University, Kano

Centre for Trans-Saharan Studies, University of Maiduguri

Fombina Palace Museum, Yola

Noteworthy private collections also exist, such as the Darul-Buhuth of Waziri Junaidu in Sokoto, the Nizamiyya Collection of Late Marafa Dan-Baba, and the Modibbo Fufore Collection in Adamawa State.

A Living History of Knowledge

Arabic manuscripts in Nigeria span centuries, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. While many were imported from the Middle East and North Africa, a significant number were locally written and copied. These works include:

Primary Islamic texts: Qur’an, Hadith

Jurisprudence texts (especially Maliki school)

Sciences: astronomy, mathematics, grammar

Devotional literature

Original works: poetry, historical chronicles, genealogies, letters, contracts, and commentaries

Most manuscripts are unbound, comprising loose folios kept in leather wrappers or saddlebags. Unlike mass-produced printed books, each manuscript is a unique artifact, offering a lens into intellectual, spiritual, and political life of its time.

Why Manuscripts Matter

Manuscripts are more than just texts—they are cultural artifacts. They embody the intellectual traditions, craftsmanship, and spiritual values of past societies. Studying them offers insights into calligraphy, material culture, ink composition, and social organization. Each manuscript is a multidisciplinary object requiring historical, chemical, artistic, and linguistic expertise.

Inks and Materials: Technology Behind the Text

Northern Nigerian Arabic manuscripts commonly feature inks described as:

Rubrication

Black vegetable ink

Ferro-tannic ink

Inks were made from natural dyes or pigments mixed with binding agents such as gum Arabic. Carbon ink—made from soot, charcoal, or lampblack—was widely used. Over 12,000 folios studied revealed a spectrum of ink colors, from deep black to light brown, red, pink, and orange.

Five main types of ink have been identified:

1. Carbon black

2. Soot brown

3. Dyes

4. Ferro-tannic inks

5. Pigment-based colloidal suspensions

Common Damages Observed in Manuscripts

1. Structural Damage

Brittleness, folds, splits, and losses (lacunae)

2. Planar Damage

Creases, cockling, buckling, warping, accordion pleats, draws, dimpling, bulging, and dents

3. Surface Damage

Delamination, abrasion, scratches, scars, shines, dull spots

4. Discoloration

Light degradation, oxidation stains, mat burn, wood burn, water stains, oil stains, and toning

5. Surface Soiling

Dust, soot, embedded dirt, smoke damage, fingerprints, accretion

6. Media Damage

Flaking, cracking, abrasion, fading, bleeding, binder migration, strike-through

Conservation Practices and Tools

Successful preservation and conservation of Arabic manuscripts require both specialized skills and tools. Essential equipment includes:

Opt visors, scalpels, spatulas

Dust brushes, erasers, acid-free papers

Gloves, lab coats, polypropylene bags

Measuring tools, methyl cellulose, isopropanol

Healing mats, sprayers, sealing tools, torches

Best Practices for Preservation

Preservation Strategies Include:

Prioritizing manuscripts based on impact, feasibility, and urgency

Assessing factors like use, storage conditions, value, and damage level

Following best practices in pest management, handling protocols, and record keeping

Do’s and Don’ts:

DO handle with clean gloves

DO store in acid-free environments

DON’T use ballpoint pens or adhesives

DON’T expose to direct light or humidity

Conclusion

Arabic and Ajami manuscripts are silent storytellers of Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural history. Preserving them is not just a heritage obligation but a scholarly necessity. This first part of our exploration sets the stage for deeper engagement with conservation methods, community involvement, and policy implications in subsequent parts of this series.