8/3/1325
We have finally made it back to Mali in Niani. The trip was a life-changing experience and I will never forget it. While I do miss Mecca, it is great to be back in Niani where I belong. I made many new friends and I am glad to be here with them. This trip has spread the fame of Mali far and wide, and those who did not know of our great empire surely do now, bringing even more wealth and trade to Mali, bolstering our empire. Overall, I am really glad about the Hajj and hope more people can have the same experience as me. So, after reading these series of journal entries, I hope you consider joining our pilgrimage to the Ka'aba!
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1/31/1325
We did it! We finally arrived at Mecca! After months of travel and thousands of miles crossed, we've reached Mecca! I feel great that we have achieved our goal. There is so much to see here, including the Ka'aba! I never thought I would have the chance to see it in person but now I have. Even I could not have imagined its magnificence. We will be staying here for two weeks before returning home, and with good reason. Mansa Musa has given much charity to the poor and has made his visit to the Ka'aba as a devout Muslim. There is also so much delicious food! From kebabs to shawarma, from kofta to samosas, there is so much to devour here. The variety of things you can get at Mecca is limitless. The sky is the limit in terms of what you can get while visiting Mecca on your pilgrimage. While I do want to return home, I don't know if I ever want to leave. There are so many great people, too. Some of Islam's finest minds are here as well as merchants who sell the finest goods. One certain merchant by the name of Abdoul sold me the most gorgeous silk robes for such a low price because he is such a nice man. I am so happy that we are here, and look forward to enjoying my time here in Mecca. 12/4/1324
It feels so good to get out of the Saharan sun! We have traveled over 2,000 miles in the Sahara for over 2 months and reached Cairo later afternoon. I know Mansa Musa feels the same way about reaching Cairo. He has given away and spent so much gold that the yellow metal is almost commonplace now, losing much of its value. He is also going to bring some Egyptian architects to bring back to Mali so they can build grand mosques and help Mansa Musa continue to spread Islam through West Africa, which he has already done much of on the way here. We have spent 5 days and almost 5 nights here, and I have really enjoyed my time here. I have seen all the wonders this city has to offer, such as the pyramids built by Egyptian pharaohs before Egypt was converted to the one true faith of Islam as well as some great mosques. I have also met a soldier named Ali who is just as interested as I am in seeing all the sights of Cairo. I feel exhausted, but tomorrow morning, we will leave Cairo for the final stretch to Mecca, where we will finally complete the Hajj. I cannot wait to see it and finally finish the journey! 8/31/1324
We've come so far now, traveling 1250 miles to the Tuwat Oasis. There are date trees as far as the eye can see. I have tried some of the local cuisine, cooked locusts with dates, which sort of reminds me of chicken. I still feel a bit upset as Mansa Musa continues to destroy economies of small villages with his gift giving and lavish spending. I have met a Muslim scholar named Moussa who has joined us on this journey by request of Mansa Musa to come to Mecca and back to Mali to teach the basic beliefs of Islam. This is our last mapped city before we set across the Sahara to travel 2,000 miles to Cairo, filling me with both excitement and anxiety. Who knows what the future holds? 8/18/16
We've reached Taghaza, a city of salt. All around, there's salt mines, whose white gold will be mined and brought further south to be traded for their yellow equivalent. We arrived late morning and I have settled in for the night after a long day of exploring the city. I feel exhausted, but I know I'll be ready for the next day. I visited a great mosque to go and pray and met many interesting people such as a salt merchant named Modibo, who gifted me a beautiful salt sculpture. I remember seeing Mansa Musa give away much gold from the 24,000 pounds he started with, helping the impoverished gain money. Tomorrow will be a new adventure, when we will travel to the Tuwat Oasis. 4/30/1324
After we set out from Niani, we traveled to Walata, a small oasis town with many merchants passing through and is where we are now. Along the way, we have passed through many villages with varying cultures whose coffers are now overflowing with gold that our king so generously donated, even though I advised him against it, as it would destroy their local economies. But anyways, here at Walata, there is much to explore. I have met a fellow scholar named Mohamed who I love to share knowledge with, as well as a funny merchant named Youssouf, who has sold me beautiful jewelry to give as a gift to my wife when I return. This journey has been so exciting, and I cannot wait to continue moving on! 7/6/1324
Today is the day! We are going to Mecca to visit the Ka'aba on Mansa Musa's Hajj. Scholar Djembe and I have been personally invited to come along. Right now, we are in Niani, preparing for the trip, which has been made into a royal occasion. We are bringing approximately 60,000 people from our empire to come and join us. This includes slaves, scholars, Griots, Ferbas, and of course, Mansa Musa and his wives. Our camels can carry much gold (100-300 pounds!) and supplies as well as people. Since I am a Ferba and Ferbas receive some of the best service second to Mansa Musa and his wives, I will get to ride a camel and dress in great wealth similar to the slaves who are given fine silks and jewelry to wear. We will reach Cairo in 120 Days and I can't wait to get there. I am very excited to be going and I know it's going to be a long journey, but it's also going to be a fun one. |
AuthorFerba Dikembe and Scholar Djembe |