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Java, Indonesia (Concerning the Great Island of Java)

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Java, Indonesia (Concerning the Great Island of Java)

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The Island of Java was known to be the greatest island of the world by past mariners. The island is 3,000 miles in length. The people on the island are Idolaters. The Island is of surpassing wealth, producing black pepper, nutmegs, spikenard, galingale, cubebs, cloves, and all other kinds of spices. The island has a mass amount of shipping by merchants who buy and sell costly goods from which they get great profit.

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The Nile River was so unique to Ibn Battuta. During his travels he  talked about how this river surpassed "The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in Iraq. The Indus river in far off India, and the Ganges, in India,” because of it's great taste, length, and utility.

Louis Comfort Tiffany, On the Way between Old and New Cairo, Citadel Mosque of Mohammed Ali, and Tombs of the Mamelukes

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Ibn Battuta was a Muslim-born Morrocan who at the age of 21 left his home in Tangier on June 14th, 1325, for pilgrimage then later set out for exploration. He performed his journey along the trans-Saharan trade route and gained a lot of knowledge about the trade and the events that occurred within the trade route. After many years of travel and studying, he went back to Morocco and told his tales to the Sultan who dictated him to tell an account of his journey which is now called “A Gift to Those Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling” The book consisted of detailed descriptions of the different environments, landscapes, cultures, and unique backgrounds he’d witnessed. Since he was a Muslim man, his journey was in large part to learn as much as he could about Islam, Muslims, and their accomplishments around the world.

Excerpts from “Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”

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The Trans Saharan trade route was a major network of trade from the 8th century to the 13th century. However, during the classical era, trade was limited through trans-Sahara and Eurasia because of the Sahara desert. But, the introduction of camel caravans and the spread of Islam made trade less challenging and more frequent. The domesticated camel made traversing easier and faster and, it also led to the establishment of centralized kingdoms like the great Kingdom of Mali. Additionally, Camel saddles helped transporters increase the size and quantity of quality goods like salt, gold, and weaponry. Lastly, the spread of Islam helped spread peace which reduced conflict in the trade route because of the shared common belief. The shared belief also helped merchants communicate more efficiently with one another because of the shared language. All in all, trade along the trans-Saharan trade route was made efficient and more practical because of the introduction of Islam and new technology.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network. (2017, August 06). Retrieved November 04, 2020, from https://youtu.be/W85FXTRd7e8

https://youtu.be/YiyplqC5pAo

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The Mali Empire started in 1235 CE by Soundiata Keita and lasted untill the Early 1600s CE. The Mali empire traded “salt, ivory, ceramics, rare spices and the best slaves”. It also had an abundance in "livestock – cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules – and different kinds of poultry – geese, doves, and chickens”. Mali's dominant religon at that time was Islam because of trade with Tuareg merchants and Muslim Berbers. The major technology facilitating trade were Camel Caravans. This made the trans-Saharan route traversing  easier.

“The Empire of Mali (1230-1600).” South African History Online, 7 Apr. 2016, www.sahistory.org.za/article/empire-mali-1230-1600.

Al-Umari, Pathways of Vision in the Realms of the Metropolises, 1337-1338

https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/the_spread_of_islam_in_west_africa_containment_mixing_and_reform_from_the_eighth_to_the_twentieth_century

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During 1312 to 1337 CE Mansa Musa (The Black Lord) was king of Mali. Mansa Musa was a devoted Muslim man of virtue. He controlled many territories rich in gold and copper, and monopolised trade between the North and Center of the continent. He was very kind and performed many acts of charity. He was and is notoriously known for flooding Cairo with gifts of gold. He gave away lots and lots of gold in Egypt to the point that it became less valuable.
Mansa Musa
Al-Umari, Pathways of Vision in the Realms of the Metropolises, 1337-1338

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When Ibn buttata and his fellow companions had arived, Ibn Butata fell ill with a fever and was advised to stay and rest by one of his friends but, he refused and said "If God decrees my death, it shall be on the road with my face set toward Mecca." With this statement Ibn Buttuta's friend had seen how passionate he was about reaching mecca so  he told Ibn buttata to "sell your donkey and your heavy baggage, and I shall lend you what you require. In this way you will travel light, for we must make haste on our journey, for fear of meeting roving Arabs on the way." After that Ibn buttata continued his journey.
Excerpts from “Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”

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The Malians fought against Sudan with “[bow and] arrows”.
Mansa Musa

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Ibn Battuta noticed that the Meccans were very elegant and had taken that seriously. They wore white garments and fine perfume, the Meccas take it to the next level every Thursday when they'd visit the mosque. The Meccans also had numerous goods imported from around the world such as Ivory from the west coast of Africa, peppers from the spice islands in the east, coffee from Arabia, porcelain glass from the east, books from northern India, and textiles from the lands of the Chinese emperor. They were evidently rich and luxurious, and had lots of available resources and connections for them around the world allowing them to receive valued goods.

Mecca as seen in the 18th Century

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Sacred Heart Cathedral, Algiers, Algeria

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Uppon reaching al-Jazair, Ibn Battuta and fellow merchants waited a couple days for the former party. As soon as the reunited, they continued on their journey to Bijaya.
Excerpts from “Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”

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Damascus is a city like no other with many charms and a beautiful environment. They have beautiful buildings such as the mosques and they are described as the finest. However, travellers do encounter  difficulties reaching Syria. Customs dues are collected from merchants, goods and baggage are thoroughly searched, and passports are mandatory to enter.

Excerpts from “Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”

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There are a group of people called the denizens in Mecca where they make feasts, they give food to the religious devotees who are poor and invites them first with kindness. And anyone who later follows him gets a share. Ibn Battuta really did favor this kind thought of theirs.

Mecca as seen in the 18th Century

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In Cario, Ibn Battuta discovered many Mosques, hospitals, and colleges. During his visit in Cairo he discovered a garden which he thought was beautiful. They had plants from India and other goods such as gemstones, and silk. At the Mosque he discovered they hold services every Friday, and the hospitals were well stocked with supplies. In Cario, there is a river called the Egyptian Nile River and Ibn Battuta explains that this river is like no other river because of it's unique features.
Louis Comfort Tiffany, On the Way between Old and New Cairo, Citadel Mosque of Mohammed Ali, and Tombs of the Mamelukes

“Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”

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Mansa Musa had restabblished power over Gao in order to expand the influence of the Empire of Mali.
Mansa Musa

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Timbuktu was annexed by Mansa Musa (The Black Lord)

Mansa Musa

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Ibn Battuta met two diplomats of the king of Tunis. As they pursued their journey together, the diplomats became sick due to the extreme heat. One grew even worse and eventually died. Battuta then traveled on his own and received a fever causing him to become ill. In order for Ibn to survive, he gave up his donkey and heavy baggage to travel much easier. He then traveled light and prayed.
Excerpts from “Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”

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This was the birthplace of Ibn Battuta. Alone Thursday [June 14, 1325] at 22 years of age he set out  with the intention of pilgrimage to Mecca.
Excerpts from “Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354.”