The Ethiopian bookbinder connecting a city’s people with its forgotten past

The collection of hundreds of old manuscripts has become a particular passion. To preserve these manuscripts, Sherif has also revitalised the ancient tradition of bookbinding. Advertisement“The Indo-African relationship was very deep,” explains Ahmed Zekaria, an expert in Islamic and Harari history. Artisans were required to get permission from a local Islamic scholar – someone descended from Sheikh Abadir or one of his followers – to produce each religious manuscript. Through these religious and legal manuscripts, Sherif was able to glimpse the rich intellectual life of his ancestors.