Niani, 1324, Morning
It is the morning of the great hajj. Canca Musa has chosen me and 60 thousand others to go on this epic journey. As a royal guard, I will travel in the front of the caravan. He has brought much gold to give along the journey. We will follow the trade route northeast to Walata, which is 600 miles away. I feel as if this journey will be rough and 4 months of travel does not sound good at all. But a camel can travel 100 miles without water so that means we can drink water a little bit more freely. I think this journey will be amazing and successful.
Walata, 1324, Morning
This caravan is stretching long and far, several days ahead and behind me. I sit now under a date palm in the wonderful oasis town of Walata. Water is plentiful here, but our next leg is to Taghaza, across the waterless desert. Rain is due to come soon, but very spotty at first. The trade here is quite astonishing. The Sudan trade with the Berbers here very frequently.
Taghaza, 1324, dusk
We have finally reached Taghaza, and it is a marvel, neither good or bad. Its building are of rock salt, and its roofs are of camel skins. This small town survives quite well despite its poorness, I’ve found. Many of us on the hajj are intimidated by this place. I think that this salt town is very vital for our survival, due to its possession of an abundance of salt.
Tuwat Oasis, 1324, Evening
We have been traveling for so long, 1500 miles. Many of the pilgrims on the hajj are discussing the religious implications of the hajj, so I decided to list some. The hajj is made to be endowed with understanding. It is made to please God. You are to give alms during the hajj, which is why Canca Musa brought all this gold. He is even more polite than ever, since you are never to become angry during a hajj.
Cairo, 1324, Afternoon
We have finally arrived at Cairo, almost to our destination. It seems like the whole place is buzzing with excitement. Many say the sultan wishes to meet Camca Musa, but our great leader declined. Meanwhile, an absurd amount of gold is being given away. It seems like we won’t have any left. I would advise against such tremendous donations, but Canca Musa does as he wishes.
Niani, 1375, Evening
I have rediscovered my journal of the hajj, 51 years ago. The journey, was a little bit more strenuous than I expected, but it turned out wonderfully. Well, except for the fact that the great Musa spent all our gold! The expense was tremendous, one we will never make up for. This didn’t prevent me from learning. Indeed I learnt much on the hajj. The Catalan Atlas portrays Musa as a man with much gold. Indeed, he was, but he given it all on his hajj.
It is the morning of the great hajj. Canca Musa has chosen me and 60 thousand others to go on this epic journey. As a royal guard, I will travel in the front of the caravan. He has brought much gold to give along the journey. We will follow the trade route northeast to Walata, which is 600 miles away. I feel as if this journey will be rough and 4 months of travel does not sound good at all. But a camel can travel 100 miles without water so that means we can drink water a little bit more freely. I think this journey will be amazing and successful.
Walata, 1324, Morning
This caravan is stretching long and far, several days ahead and behind me. I sit now under a date palm in the wonderful oasis town of Walata. Water is plentiful here, but our next leg is to Taghaza, across the waterless desert. Rain is due to come soon, but very spotty at first. The trade here is quite astonishing. The Sudan trade with the Berbers here very frequently.
Taghaza, 1324, dusk
We have finally reached Taghaza, and it is a marvel, neither good or bad. Its building are of rock salt, and its roofs are of camel skins. This small town survives quite well despite its poorness, I’ve found. Many of us on the hajj are intimidated by this place. I think that this salt town is very vital for our survival, due to its possession of an abundance of salt.
Tuwat Oasis, 1324, Evening
We have been traveling for so long, 1500 miles. Many of the pilgrims on the hajj are discussing the religious implications of the hajj, so I decided to list some. The hajj is made to be endowed with understanding. It is made to please God. You are to give alms during the hajj, which is why Canca Musa brought all this gold. He is even more polite than ever, since you are never to become angry during a hajj.
Cairo, 1324, Afternoon
We have finally arrived at Cairo, almost to our destination. It seems like the whole place is buzzing with excitement. Many say the sultan wishes to meet Camca Musa, but our great leader declined. Meanwhile, an absurd amount of gold is being given away. It seems like we won’t have any left. I would advise against such tremendous donations, but Canca Musa does as he wishes.
Niani, 1375, Evening
I have rediscovered my journal of the hajj, 51 years ago. The journey, was a little bit more strenuous than I expected, but it turned out wonderfully. Well, except for the fact that the great Musa spent all our gold! The expense was tremendous, one we will never make up for. This didn’t prevent me from learning. Indeed I learnt much on the hajj. The Catalan Atlas portrays Musa as a man with much gold. Indeed, he was, but he given it all on his hajj.