Ibrahima Yaffa Manuscript Collection

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    Images of Cheikh Ibrahima Yaffa and Professor Fallou Ngom
    (2018-07-22) Ngom, Ibrahima
    Images of Cheikh Ibrahima Yaffa for the manuscript digitization work done in Kolda, Senegal, July 2018. Pictured with him is Professor Fallou Ngom.
  • Item
    Ismoo Kitaaboo: Book of Solutions
    Yaffa, Cheikh Bourama
    The manuscript is a manual designed to addess many social problems. It contains various numerological figures, prayers, and recipes to address: health-related issues, popularity, chasing away malicious people, protection from witchcraft, enhancing one’s mind and intelligence, protection from thieves, recipes for wealth and a long life, and other issues related to people’s wellbeing. Each page begins with an explanation of the numerological formula and the accompanying special prayer in Arabic, and ends with directions on how to use the formula in Mandinka Ajami. The notes in Mandinka Ajami seem to have been added later. Sometimes, the Mandinka notes are written with the Roman script. Thus, the manual includes three forms of literacies: classical Arabic literacy, Mandinka Ajami literacy, and Latin script literacy. The numerological figures require special mathematical skills. The document is an important working manual for local religious leaders, diviners, and healers. Similar traditions are found across Muslim Africa and in other parts of the Muslim world.