In Chapter 10, you learned how Muslims helped spread elements of culture. Ideas as well as goods traveled along the Muslim trade routes that connected Asia, Europe, and Africa. Travelers also spread ideas and information. One Muslim, Ibn Battutah, was a man with an incredible passion for travel.

Ibn Battutah was born in the city of Tangier in North Africa (present-day Tunisia). When he was 22, he went on a pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). He soon discovered that he loved to travel. Most people at that time traveled because they needed to get from one place to another. Ibn Battutah traveled for the joy of traveling. He loved learning about new countries and peoples.

Battutah decided to see as much of the world as he could. His motto became “Never walk any road twice.” He visited almost all the Muslim lands at that time, as well as many non-Muslim countries. Historians estimate that he traveled over 75,000 miles. To get a better sense of how much that is, think about the fact that it is about 3,500 miles from Los Angeles to New York. Remember, also, that Battutah traveled before planes, trains, or cars were invented. He traveled on foot and by boat, horse, and camel.

His book, Travels in Asia and Africa, which he dictated to a writer, taught many people about the Muslim world. Historians believe that he is a fairly reliable narrator. In other words, they believe that most of what he wrote is true. He is also quite a good storyteller. Below is an excerpt from his book. What can you learn about the desert and the people who cross it from this excerpt?

Excerpt from Travels in Asia and Africa
Crossing the Desert from Syria to Medina

The great caravan [camel train] halts at Tabuk for four days to rest and to water the camels and lay in [stock up] water for the terrible desert between Tabuk and al-Ula. The custom of the watercarriers is to camp beside the spring, and they have tanks made of buffalo hides… from which they water the camels and fill the waterskins. Each amir or person of rank has a special tank for the needs of his own camels and personnel [people]; the other people make private agreements with the watercarriers to water their camels and fill their waterskins for a fixed sum of money.

From Tabuk the caravan travels with great speed night and day, for fear of this desert. Halfway through is the valley of al-Ukhaydir.… One year the pilgrims suffered terribly here from the samoom-wind [very strong winds]; the water-supplies dried up and the price of a single drink rose to a thousand dinars [a unit of money], but both seller and buyer perished [died]. Their story is written on a rock in the valley.

Al-Ula, a large and pleasant village with palm-gardens and water-springs, lies half a day’s journey or less from al-Hijr. The pilgrims halt there four days to provision themselves and wash their clothes. They leave behind them here any surplus of [extra] provisions they may have, taking with them nothing but what is strictly necessary. The people of the village are very trustworthy. The Christian merchants of Syria may come as far as this and no further, and they trade in provisions and other goods with the pilgrims here. On the third day after leaving al-Ula the caravan halts in the outskirts of the holy city of Medina.

Source
Fordham.edu, “Medieval Sourcebook: Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354,”
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1354-ibnbattuta.html.


Investigating Primary Sources

Create a travel brochure for adventurers who would like to follow Ibn Battutah’s journey across the desert. Use Battutah’s description to pick out essential (absolutely necessary) and relevant (directly relating to a subject) details for your brochure. Your travel brochure should include

•	a catchy heading.
•	a description of at least two places travelers will see while crossing the desert.
•	a list of at least five helpful recommendations for travelers crossing the desert.
•	a colorful and appropriate visual.
•	any other clever and creative touches to make the brochure more realistic.
•	correct grammar and spelling.

History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Primary Sources