JOURNAL ARTICLE

Why Did They Call It "Timbuctoo"?

  • Published In: Journal of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, 2025, n. 43. P. 24 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Astle, Gail; Weston, Guy 3 of 3

Abstract

Timbuctoo is an antebellum free Black settlement in southern New Jersey, established in 1826. The name "Timbuctoo" is an anglicization of "Tombouctou," a renowned African kingdom-city located in present day Mali, founded in the early eleventh century. It became a center for the trans-Sahara gold, salt, and ivory trade, as well as a center of Islamic scholarship and culture. While the history of the African Tombouctou is well documented, extensive research of New Jersey's Timbuctoo is recent, revealing a compelling narrative of a fledgling Black population bound and determined to establish their own community on their own terms. One outstanding question is why early nineteenth-century Black New Jerseyans chose this name for their community. This paper explores possible origins of the name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society. 2025/01, Issue 43, p24
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0272-1937
  • Accession Number:182949169
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society is the property of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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