We have made it back to the oasis in the Great Desert. The trip has been uneventful. Due to my distaste with the sultan, I chose not to return to Cairo. Once more I am in the oppressive heat and strange sadness of this desert. We have not met any other travelers, and therefore have no impression of what has happened in Mali while we have been gone. As always, I worry incessantly. I do not know how my son has fared with his first bout of leadership. If he proves to be unable to rule effectively, I will not be able to fulfill my wish and return to Mecca. I am alone with my thoughts, and as a result I have pondered many possible situations. I have resolved that I will do everything in my power to prepare my son for leadership so I may abdicate, but if he is not ready, I will delay my return. I cannot leave my country in shambles and abandon all that I have worked for and held dear without knowing that it is with someone who can be trusted to handle what this harsh world will throw at them. On a happier note, while in Mecca I found several architects from the lands of Andalusia, across the sea to the north. They will help me rebuild the University of Timbuktu and establish it as a center of learning and education. Despite my eagerness to return to Mecca, I am excited to see and travel my homeland one final time.
It is done. After a long journey, I have completed the Hajj. The will of Allah is done and I have obeyed his commands. The past days have been something truly remarkable. Completing the rituals and celebrating in the festivals are something that I will never forget. I feel as if I am born anew, free from my sins. I reaffirm once more my decision to return to this city after I abdicate the throne. I can scarcely imagine the joy I will experience when I return. The pure joy of Allah fills me, and I think it fills my caravan as well. Everywhere I look, an atmosphere of happiness pervades our camps. Going around and speaking with my subjects at their fires, as is my custom, reveals great love for Allah and great love for me also, for financing this journey. They are now eager to return home. I am as well, if only to return to Mecca more quickly. The route home will be generally the same as our journey here. We begin tomorrow.
Finally the time has come. I have arrived in Mecca, with time to spare until the Hajj officially starts. The very air has a divine quality to it. I definitely feel as if I could spend my whole life here. With my riches, such a thing is possible. Today, I visited the Ka'ba, before the crowds of people coming for their Hajj arrive. It is a wondrous site. When my caravan set it's camp on the outskirts of Mecca, I was approached by an administrator of the city. He inquired as to my country of origin and my position there. When he learned of my kingship and the clearly evident wealth of my country, he seemed very impressed. I expect he will tell the story to all of his friends. I learned of an interesting tradition here in Mecca. It is customary among Arab travelers in the desert to water your camels before drinking yourself. This is because the camel has most likely worked harder than you have. It is a sign of respect to the animal, and also a recognition of the gifts Allah gives to us. I have learned many things on this journey. Soon, it will be complete.
Today I write to you from aboard the vessel Al-Asad. The voyage thus far has been better than expected. I have not been struck with seasickness, and we seem to be moving along quite rapidly. The ship's captain, an honest and just man, has assured me that we will reach the other side by the time the sun sets. I've been fairly comfortable, and not crowded at all. There were not enough ships in the city to accommodate my caravan, but there were extra ships to be acquired at smaller towns to the north and south. Several of the ships are crowded, but I travel with only my small personal retinue. Eventually, we received enough so that we could fit the entire caravan. Sea travel is much better than I expected, but I'm still eager to get off this vessel and put my feet on solid ground once more. I am finally nearing Mecca. I feel an excitement that I have not felt for quite some time. The giddy feeling I have further cements my resolution to abdicate the throne on my return. Simply being this close to Mecca excites me. I can scarcely imagine what it will be like once I actually set foot in the city itself. My body quakes with anticipation.
We are camped at the water's edge. Never before have I been so close to such a large amount of water. I will not deny that it is a little unnerving. Given the history of sea exploration among the kings of Mali, I believe this apprehension is understandable. Exploration of the ocean has never worked well for us. I am nervous about trusting my life to wind filling a piece of cloth and wood floating on water. This will be my first sea voyage, so I have no experience with such things. We have come to a large harbor town, and will naturally have to rent a large amount of ships to carry my entire caravan. I have no worry of affording such a rental, I only worry that there may not be enough ships. Worrying will do me no good. If we cannot find a ship, those who do not have one will simply have to stay here and wait for another ship or for us to return. Unfortunate, but necessary. I must reach Mecca during the correct time, so that my Hajj is not considered a lesser pilgrimage, or Umrah. I must not allow any delays. I am right on schedule, but mistakes or delays could lead to my lateness, which would be unacceptable. I must prepare for the journey ahead.
Al-Nasir Muhammad was described to me as a strong ruler, and a powerful man, but I found him to be strangely weak and ineffectual. When I met him today, he seemed to be preoccupied with something else. I wished to avoid being rude by visiting him, but he didn't seem to care at all that a foreign king had entered his city. Our discussion was constantly interrupted by advisors whispering in his ear, and occasionally he would stop talking and simply stare into space. After some reflection, I think I know his issue. This is a man for whom the burden of ruling is too much. It has effectively broken him. He pays too much attention to small details, hence the constant interruption, and worries about these ultimately irrelevant things, hence the loss of his pathway of thought and the staring into space. His personal hygiene was also in a deplorable state. He's a broken-down shell of a man. I am determined not to let this happen to me. I have made a decision: when I return from Mecca, I will teach my son what I can, and then abdicate the throne to him and return to Mecca to live out the rest of my days. My mind is made up on this, and nothing will change it. We move on to cross the Red Sea, and will most likely have no issue with supplies as our stay in Cairo has given us ample opportunity to restock.
Today was an eventful day. As I began the process of giving alms to the poor of Cairo, I was saddened that the people could not seem to organize themselves. They positively fell over each other to reach my gold. My heralds did their best to organize and streamline the process, but the greed of man emerged victorious. Eventually everyone who had come was given at least a small amount of gold and sent on their way. I will continue my alms-giving throughout my stay, which I expect to last several days. Some of my servants have told me that people in the streets tonight were singing my praises and discussing the wealth of myself and therefore, my kingdom. The foreign merchants in the city have witnessed my alms giving and also my exorbitant wealth, and will most likely tell stories to their fellows at home, and therefore spread the news of the wealth of Mali. This brings more foreign interest and trade to my country, which is a truly an exciting prospect. Unrelated to this, I realize now that I have made a serious mistake. I completely forgot about the Sultan of Egypt, Al-Nasir Muhammad. Egypt is a powerful state, and to do something as rude as ignore the Sultan when I visit his city would surely be an egregious mistake. I will have to make arrangements to visit him.
Today we entered the city of Cairo. I was not greeted with trumpets and fanfare, but I had also not announced to Cairo my intent to visit. I beheld the shock and wonder on the people's faces as my caravan passed through the city gates. They had obviously never seen such wealth and splendor in all their lives. I have not begun distributing alms yet. I have placed notices in the major marketplaces, informing the people of my coming and plans on distribution. It pleases me to do the will of Allah. I continue to wonder and worry about the situation in my home kingdom. My brother Sulayman is a jealous and spiteful individual. It occurs to me that my naming of my son as my heir and deputy may cause Sulayman's resentment to fester and potentially affect my son. Court intrigue aside, the burdens of leadership most likely weigh heavily on my son's mind, considering that I have never trained or prepared him for this. Distanced as I am from my country, this worrying does me no good, but I cannot stop it. I must retire, for tomorrow will be a long day of giving alms.
At last, the oasis. We reached it in the late afternoon. Many of my caravan ran to the water's edge and drank until they could not drink anymore. The camel's thirst has been quenched also. Tonight will be a night of singing, dancing, and praising Allah. Our waterskins have been completely refilled, but we plan to stay another night to rest and recuperate. The desert is extraordinarily taxing. Sitting next to this oasis, my thoughts turn once more to home. How is my son dealing with the burden of leadership placed upon him? Perhaps I worry unnecessarily, but I worry nonetheless. Will he be strong enough after I am gone to fend off invaders or raiders? I can subjugate many kingdoms, but once I no longer rule this land what will they do? Perhaps they will see my son as a weak successor to the throne. Perhaps he will be. This desert has the curious effect of turning my thoughts toward the future, and instantly darkening it. I have struggled to remain hopeful and optimistic throughout this journey. Indeed, only the thought of the holy city of Mecca at the end of this ordeal has kept me going. It will better once I am out of this oppressive desert. I do not know when I will write again, or if I will even be inclined to do so. Time will tell.
Salvation! Today, while traveling to the oasis, we encountered a large caravan of Berbers, the traders of the north. I spoke to the leader of these Berbers, and persuaded him to share some of his water with us. Negotiations were short, as the leader was overawed with our caravan's riches. I offered him a small portion of my gold. However, this Berber had never seen such riches, except perhaps in his dreams. It was not difficult to acquire some of his water. The Berbers happened to be carrying extra water, and with careful rationing we will now definitely be able to make it to the oasis. This crisis was narrowly averted through good fortune and the grace of Allah. I do not expect to be so lucky next time, but then, I also do not expect there to be a next time. I have made that clear to my administrators and overseers. The next time this happens, the penalty will be death. I am willing to forgive mistakes, but not the same ones twice. Our journey will continue, and I am filled with indescribable happiness as I retire for the night. I will next return when we reach the oasis.
Venturing through this great desert has been harder than expected. An oversight by one of my caravan managers has led to there being a slight shortage of water. In fact, my advisors tell me that unless we can reach an oasis soon, our caravan may fail. Obviously this is a crisis of the highest order. After reviewing maps, there are few oases that we can reach on the supplies that we have left. We have changed our course to set out for the nearest oasis. I hope that we can reach it in time. None of my lower-ranked caravan members are aware of this problem, and I hope to keep it that way. Widespread panic would only serve to destroy our caravan sooner. The overseer responsible for this issue will not be executed, but he will be demoted and shamed. Lax administrators cannot be tolerated, but no one deserves to die simply for laziness. I will next return once we have reached the oasis. If I do not return, we did not make it.
Today in Timbuktu I made a most wondrous discovery. I found an ancient building that the locals tell me was originally a school, known as the University of Sankore. There is considerable interest among both my advisors and the people of Timbuktu in restaffing this University of Sankore. I will find an architect to redesign and refurbish the ancient center of learning while on my travels. It will become a Qu'ranic law school, but also a university of the sciences. I hope for it to become a renowned center of learning, possibly bringing scholars from across the world. This university will enhance the reasons I already had for planning to bring Timbuktu into my empire. After my Hajj, Mali will be known for its great wealth. After this university matures, Mali will be known for its great knowledge as well. Although I am of course taking this pilgrimage for Allah, I plan to simultaneously realize my goal of showing the world Mali's greatness. Speaking of Mali, I wonder how my country is doing. My son, Magha, was appointed as a deputy king in my place while I am gone on my pilgrimage. (Levtzion, Nehemia. "The Thirteenth- and
Fourteenth-Century Kings of Mali." In The Journal of African History,
341-353. 3rd ed. Vol. 4. Cambridge University Press, 1963.) He is inexperienced, and has almost no knowledge of the particulars of statecraft. I hope that he can learn how to lead by the time he rules my country. Today, as I am about to leave Timbuktu and venture through the great desert, I am full of hope, and apprehension
After traveling for several days we have finally reached the wonderful city of Timbuktu. The city is beautiful and extraordinary. Situated as it is on the top of the river Niger, it would make a valuable addition to my empire. Perhaps I will annex it when I return from my Hajj. Observing the people, many have already accepted the truth of Islam. I will expand my vision of a Mali united in Islam by conquering this city when I return. It's markets overflow with gold and salt, and it is the recipient of many foreign travelers. My advisors assure me that this city would be a very valuable addition to my domain.
In other news, I received word today that a company of my servants have run off with their loads of gold and silks. This is saddening, as I had hoped to be well loved by all my subjects. The loss of their gold does not trouble me unduly, for I have much more of it. Regardless, I have decided to make an example of them. I've dispatched several warriors and trackers to hunt them down and bring them to justice.
I rule the glorious realm of Mali, with its rolling hills, flowing rivers, and gold and salt mines, under the hand of Islam and Allah. I am about to undertake my Hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca. As such, I will record my experiences in this journal. I may not write everyday, but I will be sure to write down everything of importance. I have been carefully preparing for my journey for some time. I plan to follow the commandments of Allah on my journey, and I will therefore be giving alms to the poor as I pass through the various cities on the way to Mecca. I've prepared a vast caravan and retinue, so that I can demonstrate for the world the glory of my kingdom and of Islam. Details of wealth may bore others, but I never tire of them. I have loaded onto eighty camels over two hundred and fifty pounds of fine gold dust and outfitted several thousand of my servants with the finest silks and five hundred of them carry staffs of pure gold. (Goodwin, A. J. H. "The Medieval Empire of Ghana." In The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 108-112. 47th ed. Vol. 12. South African Archaeological Society, 1957.) The remainder of my caravan will oversee the feeding and watering of my subjects. I believe I am sufficiently prepared for the journey across the great desert, through the lands of Egypt, across the sea to Medina and Mecca. I am most eager to do the will of Allah and expand his holy way throughout my country. I set out tomorrow, and so I must retire to my chambers so as to be fully rested for the taxing journey. I will next return once we have reached the city of Timbuktu.
