buktu

Updated: April 30, 2025

So the name of the city of Timbuctoo is said by some to be derived from the Berber Word teen, "well", and Buktu, the name of the person who on its present site dug a well for the rendezvous or casual supply of passing caravans. But this derivation is merely conjectural. "Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob, good or bad." The same idiom prevails amongst the Touaricks. Dr.

James Richardson - Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846

In the first instance Teen occurs at the beginning of the word, and the second at the end; but, in both cases, the meaning is "the well of Nijber," and "the well of Yeghen." Teenbuktu follows the same rule of Berber or Touarghee combination, and means "the Well of Buktu," probably Buktu being the digger of the pits of Timbuctoo.

James Richardson - Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846