Niani, 1324, Morning
Today is my big day. My name is Adisa and I am joining our king, Mansa Musa, on a pilgrimage to Mecca. I am 20 years old and I am a muslim scholar. I was born in Niani in 1304. I am going on the hajj to see the world beyond our territory and translate for any problems with communication. Many as 60,000 people are going along as well. With 24,000 pounds of gold and over 4,000 miles to Mecca, this will be a long and dangerous journey. Farewell Niani.
Today is my big day. My name is Adisa and I am joining our king, Mansa Musa, on a pilgrimage to Mecca. I am 20 years old and I am a muslim scholar. I was born in Niani in 1304. I am going on the hajj to see the world beyond our territory and translate for any problems with communication. Many as 60,000 people are going along as well. With 24,000 pounds of gold and over 4,000 miles to Mecca, this will be a long and dangerous journey. Farewell Niani.
24,000 pounds of gold!!!
Walata, 1324, Morning
We finally reached a water source. The caravan is stretching several days behind and ahead of me. Our first stop is at Walata. Here, we can resupply our water source. Water is critical because we have to cross a waterless desert. Thank Allah that it will be raining during our journey but there will not be a lot. Trade is common here. The Sudans from the south are trading gold for salt. Other goods such as copper and ivory are being traded here as well. My group is taking a break from this journey. A camel can travel 20 to 25 miles in one day.
We finally reached a water source. The caravan is stretching several days behind and ahead of me. Our first stop is at Walata. Here, we can resupply our water source. Water is critical because we have to cross a waterless desert. Thank Allah that it will be raining during our journey but there will not be a lot. Trade is common here. The Sudans from the south are trading gold for salt. Other goods such as copper and ivory are being traded here as well. My group is taking a break from this journey. A camel can travel 20 to 25 miles in one day.
Taghaza, 1324, Morning
Thank Allah that we are getting ready to leave Taghaza. This is where salt is mined. Not many people live here because of the conditions. The water is salty and there is nothing but sand and salt. Even the buildings are made of salt. The salt is traded with the Sudans who use salt as currency. The houses are made of rock salt and camel skins. I wonder how people survive here. I’m not in much use around here. I’m only here to record this journey.
Thank Allah that we are getting ready to leave Taghaza. This is where salt is mined. Not many people live here because of the conditions. The water is salty and there is nothing but sand and salt. Even the buildings are made of salt. The salt is traded with the Sudans who use salt as currency. The houses are made of rock salt and camel skins. I wonder how people survive here. I’m not in much use around here. I’m only here to record this journey.
Tuwat Oasis, 1324, Morning
We are almost halfway to Cairo. Only about 420 miles away. We reached another water source. We have to take everything we can because we are not stopping in between Cairo and this oasis. No communication problem yet. Mansa Musa gave out a lot of gold already. About ⅓ of our gold that we brought went to the people in Taghaza.
We are almost halfway to Cairo. Only about 420 miles away. We reached another water source. We have to take everything we can because we are not stopping in between Cairo and this oasis. No communication problem yet. Mansa Musa gave out a lot of gold already. About ⅓ of our gold that we brought went to the people in Taghaza.
Cairo, 1324, Afternoon
We finally reached Cairo. The person who greeted us asked our king if he wanted to meet their king. He said no because of the pilgrimage. I think there is a reason besides the pilgrimage. He gave out gold to everyone too. In fact, he gave out so much gold that the value of gold fell really quickly. I think the amount of gold being given out is ridiculous. What used to be a prized material is now dirt cheap. Everyone is spending their gold like nothing.
We finally reached Cairo. The person who greeted us asked our king if he wanted to meet their king. He said no because of the pilgrimage. I think there is a reason besides the pilgrimage. He gave out gold to everyone too. In fact, he gave out so much gold that the value of gold fell really quickly. I think the amount of gold being given out is ridiculous. What used to be a prized material is now dirt cheap. Everyone is spending their gold like nothing.
Mecca, 1324, Afternoon
We finally made it to Mecca. The hajj is complete. Its almost been a year since we left Niani. We met some europeans as well. My skills are finally in use now. I heard that these europeans have heard about Mansa Musa’s ridiculous amount of gold. Speaking of gold, Mansa Musa gave out the rest of the gold in Mecca this morning. People are trading and doing business and now everyone is rich like a king.
We finally made it to Mecca. The hajj is complete. Its almost been a year since we left Niani. We met some europeans as well. My skills are finally in use now. I heard that these europeans have heard about Mansa Musa’s ridiculous amount of gold. Speaking of gold, Mansa Musa gave out the rest of the gold in Mecca this morning. People are trading and doing business and now everyone is rich like a king.