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Context for "TB2: Mali's Ancient Manuscripts"

November 11, 2015 | Elementary
By Amanda Ottaway

Residents of Djimebougou village in central Mali reinforce a wall that keeps scarce water on their dry fields in order to boost local food production. Image by Chris Arsenault. Mali, 2015.

Festival entrance, Essakane. Image by Alice Mutasa, Mali.

Fighters from the Tuareg separatist rebel group in Mali. Image courtesy of Reuters.

A street performer dances for a crowd at the Festival on the Niger in Ségou, Mali. Image by Ben C. Solomon for The New York Times. Mali, 2015.

Since the 12th century, when Tuareg tribes founded Timbuktu as a seasonal camp on the southern edge of the Sahara, the city has seen waves of conquerors come and go. In April, Tuareg rebels and Islamist factions affiliated with al Qaeda seized control of northern Mali, including Timbuktu. Image by Brent Stirton, Getty Images/National Geographic.

A diagram of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina is one of the treasures found among thousands of ancient manuscripts. Photo by Brent Stirton/National Geopgrahic, Timbuktu, 2010.

Local women produce energy efficient clay stoves that have reduced deforestation and the time women spend gathering firewood for cooking. Image by Chris Arsenault. Mali, 2015.

The Tuareg musical group Amanar. Image by Ben C. Solomon for The New York Times. Mali, 2015.

A Dogon dancer performs a traditional dance. Image by Ben C. Solomon for The New York Times. Mali, 2015.

A crowd gathers to watch Tuareg musicians launch into an impromptu set. Image by Ben C. Solomon for The New York Times. Mali, 2015.

Map of Mali.

This lesson provides reporting resources and context for the Pulitzer Center computer game "TB2: Mali's Ancient Manuscripts." 

Click to play the game.

Educator Notes: 

Special lesson for NCSS 2015 attendees, created to accompany Pulitzer Center computer game "TB2: Mali's Ancient Manuscripts." 

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