Ibn Battuta

1. Ibn Battuta By: Jenny Tello, Brock Girling, Jamie Periquet

2. Background • Born in Tangier, Morocco to a family of legal scholars • Pursued legal education (Planning to become judge) • Went to Mecca at age 21 • Trip to Mecca inspired him to go to other countries • 2 Rules: • -Never travel the same road twice • -Visit only Muslim countries

3. Exploration Experiences • Traveled through • -Middle East • -Arabian desert • -Present day Iraq and Iran • -Red Sea and Indian Ocean • -Coast of East Africa • -Southern Russia and Afghanistan to India • -China, Burma, and Sumatra (Indonesia) • -Kingdom of Mali

4. Medina and Mecca • Trip lasted 4 days • -”Spent most every night at the mosque…” • “(The people) are distinguished by many excellent and noble activities and qualities..” • -Kindness to strangers, good habits, elegant & clean in dress, philanthropists • Favored this country • -Probably because they were a Muslim population (Like himself)

5. China • “All the fruits we have in our country are to be found here, either the same or better quality…” • “The land of China, in spite of all that is agreeable in it, did not attract me.” • Favors their market/trading goods • Calls the actual people “Infidels” • The quarter of the population is Muslim is highly respected. • Wealthy, but don’t show it in their clothing (Doesn’t like this)

6. Kingdom of Mali in West Africa • Last journey before death • “A traveler in this country carries no provisions…” • Had 3 companions along with him • Visited cemetery and went to Arab merchants • Met a judge “A devout Muslim, and a man of fine character” • Met the “Miserly” king • - “Not a man from whom one might hope for a rich present” • -Did not like him • People: • -Careful of prayer • -Some women are clean of garments, while others wear none