In 1827, French explorer René Caillié set out to become the first European to reach the fabled city of Timbuktu – and return alive. It’s an extraordinary tale, as Caillié will conduct his expedition without any help. He will immerse himself in the culture and religion of the local people in order to strike out on his own – and win the 9,000 franc prize to the first European to reach Timbuktu – and return to tell about.
Episodes
René Caillié and the Quest for Timbuktu – Part 1
In the first part of our story, we learn about the history of Timbuktu, the Niger River, and West Africa. We then look at the early years of Caillié’s life – growing up in poverty without parents – and his first excursions to Africa beginning at age 16. And then, in 1824, the Société de Géographie in Paris would offer a 9,000 franc prize to the first European to reach Timbuktu – and return to tell about. And thus Caillié immersed himself in the culture and religion of the local people in order to strike out on his own – and win the grand prize.
Download this episode or listen online.
René Caillié and the Quest for Timbuktu – Part 2
Caillié begins his audacious trek to reach the legendary city of Timbuktu. Disguised as an Arab trying to reach his home in the Middle, he will travel with various caravans into the heart of West Africa – aiming to become the first person to reach Timbuktu – and return alive.
Download this episode or listen online.
René Caillié and the Quest for Timbuktu – Part 3
In the final part of our series, Caillié has reached Timbuktu – but what will he find? Will it be the city of gold as described by earlier visitors? And now that he had reached his destination – he needs to return home. That means a brutal trek across the Sahara in a caravan.
Download this episode or listen online.
Maps
Here is a link to a great map of Caillié’s journey. From Hubert Deschamps, L’Europe découvre l’Afrique. Afrique Occidentale, 1794-1900, Paris, Berger-Levrault, 1967, p. 101
Resources
Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo and across the Great Desert to Morocco performed in the year 1824-1828, by René Caillié. Caillié’s book is in two volumes, and totals about 1,000 pages. It’s super detailed – but the man is not the most exciting narrator. Still, an incredible resource.
The Unveiling of Timbuctoo, by Galbraith Welch. First published in 1939, I didn’t get the opportunity to read Welch’s book. But it’s the only English-language book about Caillié and his search for Timbuktu. Reviews are only okay – it sounds a bit dated.
René Caillié’s Wikipedia page.
Sources
Image of Caillié by Amélie Legrand de Saint-Aubin – Quella-Villéger, Alain (1999), René Caillié, 1799-1838: une vie pour Tombouctou (in French), Poitou-Charentes, France: Actualité Scientifique, ISBN 978-2911320125. Cover and Figure 1 facing page 256., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=517902
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