Ancient Africa Journal Entries
Niani, 1324, Morning
*Yawn*. It is early on the day that I am about to set off on the hajj with Mansa Musa. My name is Abraham, and I am a slave. I am joining the king, Mansa Musa, on his pilgrimage to Mecca. The number of travelers and animals is staggering. I spun around, 360 degrees, and I saw about 60,000 people and about 1,000 camels. I will be following the trade route headed northeast across the grasslands to Walata, a good 600 miles away. Since I am a slave, I will probably have a little time to rest. Most importantly, the thing I am most concerned about is the number of gold we are carrying because 24,000 pounds is a lot. I don’t trust the guards that much; I fear that we will run into raiders and thieves along the way. I wish that our trip will be safe. I am one of the 12,000 slaves who are Mansa Musa’s personal servants, and I will try my very best to keep him pleased. I moved to the front of enormous caravan and bid my last goodbye to my beloved abode; I wouldn't be back for another four months. I hear one of the king’s servants yell something in Arabic, and we’re off!
*Yawn*. It is early on the day that I am about to set off on the hajj with Mansa Musa. My name is Abraham, and I am a slave. I am joining the king, Mansa Musa, on his pilgrimage to Mecca. The number of travelers and animals is staggering. I spun around, 360 degrees, and I saw about 60,000 people and about 1,000 camels. I will be following the trade route headed northeast across the grasslands to Walata, a good 600 miles away. Since I am a slave, I will probably have a little time to rest. Most importantly, the thing I am most concerned about is the number of gold we are carrying because 24,000 pounds is a lot. I don’t trust the guards that much; I fear that we will run into raiders and thieves along the way. I wish that our trip will be safe. I am one of the 12,000 slaves who are Mansa Musa’s personal servants, and I will try my very best to keep him pleased. I moved to the front of enormous caravan and bid my last goodbye to my beloved abode; I wouldn't be back for another four months. I hear one of the king’s servants yell something in Arabic, and we’re off!
Walata, 1324, Morning
We finally reached a source of fresh water. Thank you, Allah, for the water in this oasis town that we have just reached. Ahhhh...not using my feet after a long 750 miles felt so good. We have stopped in Walata, and that was where we were supposed to go in the first place. We only have a few drops of water left in our supply, but hopefully, we will fill it up soon so we can travel to our next destination. Our next leg to Taghaza will be across waterless desert, and the water supply is critical. Luckily, the rainy season is beginning, although rainfall will be spotty at best. A few minutes later, I heard one of Mansa Musa’s servants say that we have a few minutes of resting. Finally! I have been waiting for this ever since I threw up during our hajj. I was so tired, and we had only traveled 200 miles! I decided to walk around the town, seeing what new things were in in Walata. I was impressed by the trade activity in town. Blacks from the Sudan to the south met with Berbers from northern Africa to exchange their goods. I saw that many people are staring awkwardly at me. I guess people looked down at slaves greatly. I felt so embarrassed when they were looking at me. *sniff, sniff* What is that bitter smell?? There is so much salt here in Walata! It’s kind of obvious that gold and salt are the two biggest commodities traded in West Africa. All this gold I see is overwhelming me so much.
We finally reached a source of fresh water. Thank you, Allah, for the water in this oasis town that we have just reached. Ahhhh...not using my feet after a long 750 miles felt so good. We have stopped in Walata, and that was where we were supposed to go in the first place. We only have a few drops of water left in our supply, but hopefully, we will fill it up soon so we can travel to our next destination. Our next leg to Taghaza will be across waterless desert, and the water supply is critical. Luckily, the rainy season is beginning, although rainfall will be spotty at best. A few minutes later, I heard one of Mansa Musa’s servants say that we have a few minutes of resting. Finally! I have been waiting for this ever since I threw up during our hajj. I was so tired, and we had only traveled 200 miles! I decided to walk around the town, seeing what new things were in in Walata. I was impressed by the trade activity in town. Blacks from the Sudan to the south met with Berbers from northern Africa to exchange their goods. I saw that many people are staring awkwardly at me. I guess people looked down at slaves greatly. I felt so embarrassed when they were looking at me. *sniff, sniff* What is that bitter smell?? There is so much salt here in Walata! It’s kind of obvious that gold and salt are the two biggest commodities traded in West Africa. All this gold I see is overwhelming me so much.
Taghaza, 1324, Morning
This is the most horrible place I have ever been in; I have never been in such a disgusting place. I can’t believe that we are staying here for ten whole days!! But being a slave (unfortunately), I have to be at Mansa Musa’s side for these ten days. The second we arrive, I got a whiff of an unbelievable smell. I looked around and saw something truly unfortunate. All of the houses had dead camel skin hung onto it!!! Later, I heard one of Mansa Musa’s servants yell something. I am pretty sure he said something like, “Work time is in fifteen minutes!” Oh, God! I have to get some rest soon. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get enough sleep because of all the flies flying around the camel skins.
This is the most horrible place I have ever been in; I have never been in such a disgusting place. I can’t believe that we are staying here for ten whole days!! But being a slave (unfortunately), I have to be at Mansa Musa’s side for these ten days. The second we arrive, I got a whiff of an unbelievable smell. I looked around and saw something truly unfortunate. All of the houses had dead camel skin hung onto it!!! Later, I heard one of Mansa Musa’s servants yell something. I am pretty sure he said something like, “Work time is in fifteen minutes!” Oh, God! I have to get some rest soon. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get enough sleep because of all the flies flying around the camel skins.
Tuwat Oasis, 1324, Morning
We are approaching Cairo. Fortunately, we have reached another oasis, the Tuwat Oasis. Another thing that is also fortunate is that we have reached another fresh water source. Today, while I was looking at the map, I noticed that I had been traveling for about 1500 miles with the caravan. That is a pretty long time, don’t you think? As I was walking, I thought about the Qur'an and God. I remembered that the hajj must be completed for His sake. Oh God! I almost forgot about going to the Sacred House. Silly me! In my mind, I thought about all the verses from the Qur’an. There should be no “obscene language and acrimonious [angry] disputes while on pilgrimage,” according to verse 2:197. I also remembered that we should give alms privately because it is better than doing so publicly and it will wash away our sins (verse 2:271). I recently found out that Mansa Musa was the one who brought large quantities of gold. He wanted to give gold to the poor to clean some of his sins, and to share his wealth. He is my number one role model.
We are approaching Cairo. Fortunately, we have reached another oasis, the Tuwat Oasis. Another thing that is also fortunate is that we have reached another fresh water source. Today, while I was looking at the map, I noticed that I had been traveling for about 1500 miles with the caravan. That is a pretty long time, don’t you think? As I was walking, I thought about the Qur'an and God. I remembered that the hajj must be completed for His sake. Oh God! I almost forgot about going to the Sacred House. Silly me! In my mind, I thought about all the verses from the Qur’an. There should be no “obscene language and acrimonious [angry] disputes while on pilgrimage,” according to verse 2:197. I also remembered that we should give alms privately because it is better than doing so publicly and it will wash away our sins (verse 2:271). I recently found out that Mansa Musa was the one who brought large quantities of gold. He wanted to give gold to the poor to clean some of his sins, and to share his wealth. He is my number one role model.
Cairo, 1324, Afternoon
We have just arrived in Cairo. The city was abuzz with activity and excitement. They are all talking about one thing, and one thing only. There were rumors swirling that Mansa Musa would not meet with the local sultan. One of Mansa Musa’s servants just told me that the reason he did not want to meet with the sultan was because he did not want to take time away from his pilgrimage. He did not want to mix anything else with it. Mansa Musa is such a down-to-earth emperor, don’t you think? Everyone thinks that our spending is wasteful; to prove them wrong, Mansa Musa is going to flood Cairo with all his gold!! With all due respect emperor, this is a terrible idea. Since everyone is going to have their hands on gold, they will all exchange of their gold until the value has depressed, which will cause its price to fall. Uh oh! We are leaving now! I will write soon!
We have just arrived in Cairo. The city was abuzz with activity and excitement. They are all talking about one thing, and one thing only. There were rumors swirling that Mansa Musa would not meet with the local sultan. One of Mansa Musa’s servants just told me that the reason he did not want to meet with the sultan was because he did not want to take time away from his pilgrimage. He did not want to mix anything else with it. Mansa Musa is such a down-to-earth emperor, don’t you think? Everyone thinks that our spending is wasteful; to prove them wrong, Mansa Musa is going to flood Cairo with all his gold!! With all due respect emperor, this is a terrible idea. Since everyone is going to have their hands on gold, they will all exchange of their gold until the value has depressed, which will cause its price to fall. Uh oh! We are leaving now! I will write soon!
Mecca, 1324, Afternoon
We have finally made it to Mecca. The hajj is complete. We met some Europeans on the way. As I made my way back to my home, a huge amount of my relatives were waiting for my arrival. I was showered with gifts and sweets. My favorite gift of all was a medieval map, called the Catalan Atlas. It is a map of part of Africa, and it shows Mansa Musa’s epic hajj. It explained how Mansa Musa was the most noble and richest king in all the land, and how women covered their mouths and only showed their eyes. I had such an amazing time on the hajj, and I think it will have a lasting effect on everyone. I have come into my last page in my journal, so I guess this is the end of my journal. Oh wait! I almost forgot about how my wish came true. We didn’t run into any thieves and raiders!
We have finally made it to Mecca. The hajj is complete. We met some Europeans on the way. As I made my way back to my home, a huge amount of my relatives were waiting for my arrival. I was showered with gifts and sweets. My favorite gift of all was a medieval map, called the Catalan Atlas. It is a map of part of Africa, and it shows Mansa Musa’s epic hajj. It explained how Mansa Musa was the most noble and richest king in all the land, and how women covered their mouths and only showed their eyes. I had such an amazing time on the hajj, and I think it will have a lasting effect on everyone. I have come into my last page in my journal, so I guess this is the end of my journal. Oh wait! I almost forgot about how my wish came true. We didn’t run into any thieves and raiders!