For historians, anthropologists, and enthusiasts of pre-colonial African civilizations, few primary sources are as revered as the Tarikh al-Sudan (often translated as the "History of the Sudan" or "Chronicle of the Black Lands" ). Written in the 17th century by the Timbuktu scholar Abd al-Rahman al-Sadi, this Arabic chronicle is the cornerstone for understanding the rise and fall of the Songhai Empire, the Kingdom of Mali, and the intellectual golden age of Timbuktu.
The most complete and scholarly English version is the translation, published by Brill in 1999. tarikh al-sudan english translation pdf
and several translated chapters online, including lists of Songhay rulers and biographies of Timbuktu scholars. siiasi.org 3. Historical and Language Note and several translated chapters online, including lists of
The (History of the Sudan) is one of the most important historical documents ever written in West Africa. Composed in Arabic during the 17th century by the Timbuktu scholar Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di, this monumental text provides an insider's view of the rise and fall of the Songhai Empire, the intellectual golden age of Timbuktu, and the subsequent Moroccan invasion. Composed in Arabic during the 17th century by
A full translation by Shaykh Muhammad Shareef bin Farid is reportedly being finalized and may be available through the Sankore Institute Original Arabic/French: