A report by the newspaper "Le Monde" revealed a long struggle by the descendants and heirs of Sheikh Amadou Tall to reclaim what the family describes as part of their heritage that was looted during the French colonial era, particularly manuscripts, jewelry, and valuable artifacts from the "Treasures of Segou," which are currently held in various French cultural institutions.
The newspaper explained—in a report by Kemba Kahn—that this effort comes at a new stage following France's adoption of a framework law in April of last year regarding the return of cultural properties looted during the colonial period, which has renewed hope for the Senegalese family in recovering part of their historical legacy.
The case dates back to 1890 when the French General Louis Archinard entered the city of Segou in Mali during the French campaign on Sudan and seized the residence of Amadou Tall, the son of Sheikh Amadou Tall, and looted what later became known as the "Treasures of Segou."
The spoils included about 491 manuscripts, which were sent to the French National Library, along with jewelry, Quran holders, and precious items, some of which were transferred to other French museums.
The Treasures of Segou
This collection holds exceptional historical value as it comprises not only religious works but also documents and writings on history, astronomy, grammar, and poetry, including a rare copy of the "History of Sudan," reflecting the level of Islamic culture and the movement of ideas and knowledge in West Africa during that period.
These artifacts gain additional significance due to their association with Sheikh Amadou Tall, one of the prominent scholars and religious and military leaders in West Africa during the 19th century. He founded a vast Islamic empire that, at its peak, extended across parts of Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia, and Guinea, and was linked to Sufi orders, particularly the Tijaniyah order, undertaking multiple journeys to Mecca, Al-Azhar, and the Sokoto Empire.
The Tall family believes that the manuscripts located in France are not merely artifacts, but that they help to reshape the image of Sheikh Amadou Tall as a scholar, author, and thinker, rather than solely as a leader who waged religious and military wars. His heirs argue that he has been reduced to violence in the narrative, overlooking his intellectual and spiritual side.
The restitution demands date back to the 1980s and have not been limited to material possessions; Archinard also captured Amadou Tall's grandson, Abdullah Tall, who was ten years old at the time and was sent forcibly to France, where he attended the Saint-Cyr military academy before dying at the age of twenty.
Restoration of Sheikh Amadou Tall's Sword
In 1995, the family succeeded in returning his remains to Senegal in an official French ceremony, a step viewed at the time as part of restoring the family's historical memory and dignity.
In the following decades, the heirs of Sheikh Amadou Tall intensified their efforts to reclaim the family's heritage by exploring archives and stores of French institutions and organizing exhibitions to showcase the artifacts.
The year 2019 witnessed a significant step when France returned Sheikh Amadou Tall's sword, which had been looted in 1890, in a ceremony attended by former Senegalese president Macky Sall and several high-ranking religious officials.
The family hopes that the new French restitution law will open the door for the return of manuscripts, jewelry, and other artifacts; however, official procedures still require action from the Senegalese state, as it is the authorized entity to submit the restitution request to France.
The Senegalese ambassador in Paris confirms that the country will submit an official request as soon as a comprehensive inventory of the artifacts scattered across the French National Library, the Quai Branly Museum, the Le Havre Museum, and the Army Museum in Paris is completed.
Reinterpreting Colonial History
In Senegal, the family is simultaneously working to provide the necessary infrastructure to host these artifacts through a project to establish a museum and library, along with building a large mosque dedicated to Sheikh Amadou Tall in Dakar.
There is also a discussion about the possibility of organizing a comprehensive exhibition at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 2027 to inventory the heritage associated with Sheikh Amadou Tall, currently distributed among French institutions, an initiative that has the support of Senegalese President Bassirou Doumaï Fay.
The "Treasures of Segou" case presents a new test for the restitution of African properties looted during colonialism, as the demands are no longer limited to recovering art or archaeological pieces but are also linked to restoring memory and identity and reinterpreting colonial history from the perspective of communities that have lost part of their heritage.
While awaiting the completion of the inventory and the submission of the official request, the Segou manuscripts remain in France, where they are being preserved and digitized, and are available to researchers. However, the fundamental question remains: will the new French acknowledgments regarding looted properties turn into a genuine return of this heritage to its original home?