Field Notes on the Arabic Literature of the Western Sudan
Shehu Usumanu ḍan Fodio
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12556758 |
|---|---|
| Authors | W E N Kensdale (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1955 |
| Volume | 87 |
| Issue | 3-4 |
| Pages | 162-168 |
| Publication date | 1955-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1356-1863 • E-ISSN: 1474-0591 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0035869x00114066 |
| OpenAlex | W2125209212 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 1 |
In January and February of 1954 the writer travelled some 4,000 miles through the Northern Eegion of Nigeria in search of Arabic manuscripts for the Library of the University College of Ibadan, and also to make a survey of the indigenous Arabic literature of the peoples of the Western Sudan. There was no means beforehand of determining whether any manuscripts would be found at all, or whether, if they still existed, their possessors would part with them. The tour proved profitable in both respects, however; over 150 works were obtained, most of which are unknown outside Nigeria and very few of which have ever been printed. Some were generously donated, but most were purchased at the “market price”, for the scribes are still busy in the more remote districts, although the popularity of the printed texts from Egypt is an increasing threat to their livelihood. In Kano, the largest town of the Northern Region, it was impossible to find a scribe at work and there Arabic manuscripts were, in consequence, rare and expensive. Some local bibliophiles, understandably reluctant to give or sell volumes which they could not replace, nevertheless lent them for microfilming. There was, generally, considerable interest shown towards this work and, since returning to Ibadan, manuscripts have been received by post from self-appointed agents, which is most encouraging
Agriculture · Ancient history · Arabic · Archaeology · Geography · Indigenous · Linguistics · Livelihood · Political science · Popularity · Work (physics · African history and culture analysis · Classics · Engineering · History · Law
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.05 |
| Citation span | 1960 - 1971 (12) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |