Mansa Musa'a Hajj Journal
Niani, January, 1324, Morning
As I approach the large caravan that will be traveling to Mecca I am overweahlmed by the other 60,000 travelers and the stench coming from the 1,000 camels. Since I am a scholar I am going on this pilgrimage to give advice to other travelers and to record observations about the journey. It is quite astonishing to see all of the gold surrounding me. Other travelers have told me that Mansa Musa is bringing 24,000 pounds of gold on the trip. This journey is going to be difficult considering it will take four months to travel across Mali. Before I left for the caravan my mother and father wished me luck, but my thirteen year old sister begged to come on the journey with me. Since she was over ten years old I had to let her come. As we stand in line with the other thousands of travelers my sister is astonished that our camel is carrying 100-300 pounds of gold. Mansa Musa is minutes from giving to "go" signal and I can tell that the surrounding travelers are anxious for the long journey ahead of us.
As I approach the large caravan that will be traveling to Mecca I am overweahlmed by the other 60,000 travelers and the stench coming from the 1,000 camels. Since I am a scholar I am going on this pilgrimage to give advice to other travelers and to record observations about the journey. It is quite astonishing to see all of the gold surrounding me. Other travelers have told me that Mansa Musa is bringing 24,000 pounds of gold on the trip. This journey is going to be difficult considering it will take four months to travel across Mali. Before I left for the caravan my mother and father wished me luck, but my thirteen year old sister begged to come on the journey with me. Since she was over ten years old I had to let her come. As we stand in line with the other thousands of travelers my sister is astonished that our camel is carrying 100-300 pounds of gold. Mansa Musa is minutes from giving to "go" signal and I can tell that the surrounding travelers are anxious for the long journey ahead of us.
Walata, February, 1324, Morning
A month of this long journey has already passed. Our next destination will be Taghaza which is another 550 miles from Walata! We have just been informed that our water supply is running low and we will have to travel across the desert with no water. As my sister and I sit underneath a palm tree, we try to enjoy the little amount of shade its providing us because in the excruciatingly hot desert........ there is NO shade. Our journey so far has been rough and along the way many travelers have lost. My sister and I have barely been able to keep up with the extremely large caravan. Even though many tribes speak different languages, I am able to translate the different forms of African language to our travelers. As we travel through different tribes and cities Mansa Musa has been awfully generous with his gold. Other travelers have been questioning the king's decisions, but of course no one has confronted him. Many other caravans have made this long journey to Mecca before, and like other kings Mansa Musa is following existing trade routes to Cairo. Many people have already been suffering from dehydration, so it will be interesting to see how we will cross the waterless desert with no water.
A month of this long journey has already passed. Our next destination will be Taghaza which is another 550 miles from Walata! We have just been informed that our water supply is running low and we will have to travel across the desert with no water. As my sister and I sit underneath a palm tree, we try to enjoy the little amount of shade its providing us because in the excruciatingly hot desert........ there is NO shade. Our journey so far has been rough and along the way many travelers have lost. My sister and I have barely been able to keep up with the extremely large caravan. Even though many tribes speak different languages, I am able to translate the different forms of African language to our travelers. As we travel through different tribes and cities Mansa Musa has been awfully generous with his gold. Other travelers have been questioning the king's decisions, but of course no one has confronted him. Many other caravans have made this long journey to Mecca before, and like other kings Mansa Musa is following existing trade routes to Cairo. Many people have already been suffering from dehydration, so it will be interesting to see how we will cross the waterless desert with no water.
Taghaza, March, 1324, Dusk
After a long and waterless trip from Walata, we have finally made it to Taghaza. The journey was grueling and many people suffered from dehydration. I'm just thankful that my sister and I survived the trip. I learned from the villagers in Taghaza that they dig in the Earth for salt, which is found in slabs underground. Since the people of the Hajj did not understand their language, I had to translate what I heard. As we walked around this fly-ridden place I overheard people questioning the decision to travel up north to this village. I have to agree, the journey to Taghaza was extremely difficult and there are many different ways to cross the Sahara desert. Although taking the route that was chosen is safer, a more direct route through the Sahara to Mecca would have been more efficient and quicker. This village doesn't even have a source of fresh water, all of the water is either black or infested with salt. I agree with the other travelers that this village is only useful for salt.
After a long and waterless trip from Walata, we have finally made it to Taghaza. The journey was grueling and many people suffered from dehydration. I'm just thankful that my sister and I survived the trip. I learned from the villagers in Taghaza that they dig in the Earth for salt, which is found in slabs underground. Since the people of the Hajj did not understand their language, I had to translate what I heard. As we walked around this fly-ridden place I overheard people questioning the decision to travel up north to this village. I have to agree, the journey to Taghaza was extremely difficult and there are many different ways to cross the Sahara desert. Although taking the route that was chosen is safer, a more direct route through the Sahara to Mecca would have been more efficient and quicker. This village doesn't even have a source of fresh water, all of the water is either black or infested with salt. I agree with the other travelers that this village is only useful for salt.
Tuwat, April, 1324, Evening
It's hard to believe that we have traveled 1500 miles with the caravan. This impossible journey has just become a reality. While we were resting I overheard other travelers discussing the duties of a Muslim and the teachings of the Qur'an. After asking other people about the Qur'an and Islam, I realized that our journey relates to the teachings of Islam in many ways. In the Qur'an it discusses to "give generously for the cause of God and do not with your own hands cast yourselves into destruction." This relates to our journey because throughout the trip Mansa Musa was very generous with his gold. I also remember that before the journey we were told that we were not aloud to speak with obscene language and we had to stay out of fights with others. In verse two of the Qur'an it discusses these exact rules that we have to follow on the pilgrimage. Also, in the Qur'an it states that those who give alms will be rewarded and will have nothing to fear. That explains why Mansa Musa was so generous and kind during the journey.
It's hard to believe that we have traveled 1500 miles with the caravan. This impossible journey has just become a reality. While we were resting I overheard other travelers discussing the duties of a Muslim and the teachings of the Qur'an. After asking other people about the Qur'an and Islam, I realized that our journey relates to the teachings of Islam in many ways. In the Qur'an it discusses to "give generously for the cause of God and do not with your own hands cast yourselves into destruction." This relates to our journey because throughout the trip Mansa Musa was very generous with his gold. I also remember that before the journey we were told that we were not aloud to speak with obscene language and we had to stay out of fights with others. In verse two of the Qur'an it discusses these exact rules that we have to follow on the pilgrimage. Also, in the Qur'an it states that those who give alms will be rewarded and will have nothing to fear. That explains why Mansa Musa was so generous and kind during the journey.
Cairo, July, 1324, Afternoon
I can't believe that we have finally arrived in the beautiful city of Cairo. When we arrived the city was very busy and there were many people who greeted us when we arrived. The city is filled with excitement and much to do. After we arrived my sister and I explored the wonderful city and exclaimed what a great place this would be to live. When we got back there was lots of gossip that Mansa Musa refused to meet the sultan. Some people explained that he didn't want to meet the sultan because he only came for the pilgrimage and nothing else. Others disagree and say that he does not want to bow down to the sultan. Many people are also worried about how much gold is being distributed to the citizens of Cairo. When we left for the Hajj, we had 24,000 pounds of gold. Since then that amount has gone down drastically. I agree with the other travelers because if he gives away ALL of the gold, what will be left for our hometown and our journey back. My personal opinion is that Mansa Musa should be careful about how much gold he is giving away.
I can't believe that we have finally arrived in the beautiful city of Cairo. When we arrived the city was very busy and there were many people who greeted us when we arrived. The city is filled with excitement and much to do. After we arrived my sister and I explored the wonderful city and exclaimed what a great place this would be to live. When we got back there was lots of gossip that Mansa Musa refused to meet the sultan. Some people explained that he didn't want to meet the sultan because he only came for the pilgrimage and nothing else. Others disagree and say that he does not want to bow down to the sultan. Many people are also worried about how much gold is being distributed to the citizens of Cairo. When we left for the Hajj, we had 24,000 pounds of gold. Since then that amount has gone down drastically. I agree with the other travelers because if he gives away ALL of the gold, what will be left for our hometown and our journey back. My personal opinion is that Mansa Musa should be careful about how much gold he is giving away.
Niani, October, 1375, Evening
As I was going through my belongings to pass down to my grandson, I stumbled upon my journal that I kept during the pilgrimage to Mecca. I still remember every step and every city during the journey. The hajj was more than I expected and it was definitely worth the time. I got to visit beautiful cities such as Cairo and not so wonderful cities like Taghaza. The most memorable part of the journey was when we finally arrived in Mecca and I got to learn about the teachings of Islam and the Qur'an. Just recently the Catalan Atlas was published and it describes the Hajj and Mansa Musa. In the atlas, Mansa Musa is described as the richest and most noble king of all. They also talk about his abundant amount of gold that he had. The hajj was the most exciting thing I've ever done in my lifetime and visiting Mecca and studying the Qur'an has influenced my view on life. Even though the pilgrimage was tiring and expensive, it was definitely worth the time and I would do it again.
As I was going through my belongings to pass down to my grandson, I stumbled upon my journal that I kept during the pilgrimage to Mecca. I still remember every step and every city during the journey. The hajj was more than I expected and it was definitely worth the time. I got to visit beautiful cities such as Cairo and not so wonderful cities like Taghaza. The most memorable part of the journey was when we finally arrived in Mecca and I got to learn about the teachings of Islam and the Qur'an. Just recently the Catalan Atlas was published and it describes the Hajj and Mansa Musa. In the atlas, Mansa Musa is described as the richest and most noble king of all. They also talk about his abundant amount of gold that he had. The hajj was the most exciting thing I've ever done in my lifetime and visiting Mecca and studying the Qur'an has influenced my view on life. Even though the pilgrimage was tiring and expensive, it was definitely worth the time and I would do it again.
