Document A
"Niani, January, 1324, Morning."
It is 6:00 a.m in the morning, and the number of musicians, royal guards, flag bearers, doctors, and teachers are jaw dropping. The 1,000 camels are loaded and ready to go. Although they could all probably use a good bath before we head out. Everyday we are going to be walking about 20-25 miles. The camel can only hold up so long. We will be following the trade route headed northeast across the grasslands to Walata, a good 600 miles away. I move my way through the crowd and to the front of the caravan. As I reach the front I can finally smell the fresh air, instead of the stinky bodies that were surrounding me in the middle of the caravan. Although I can still smell the dirty camels. The camel behind me will not stop sneezing on me! My back is covered in disguising camel spit. Despite the camels smell and spit in front of me there was a beautiful view of the sun coming up. However, I am still a slave so I have to hold the ropes connected to the camels. I also will get in trouble if I do anything wrong.
"Niani, January, 1324, Morning."
It is 6:00 a.m in the morning, and the number of musicians, royal guards, flag bearers, doctors, and teachers are jaw dropping. The 1,000 camels are loaded and ready to go. Although they could all probably use a good bath before we head out. Everyday we are going to be walking about 20-25 miles. The camel can only hold up so long. We will be following the trade route headed northeast across the grasslands to Walata, a good 600 miles away. I move my way through the crowd and to the front of the caravan. As I reach the front I can finally smell the fresh air, instead of the stinky bodies that were surrounding me in the middle of the caravan. Although I can still smell the dirty camels. The camel behind me will not stop sneezing on me! My back is covered in disguising camel spit. Despite the camels smell and spit in front of me there was a beautiful view of the sun coming up. However, I am still a slave so I have to hold the ropes connected to the camels. I also will get in trouble if I do anything wrong.
Document B
"Walata, February, 1324, Morning"
The days have been dragging on and on. There are several days behind and in front of us. Thankfully Allah has been kind enough to give us water in the oasis town. Although it would be nice if I could get a llittle more food. Everyday I have to worry if I will die from lack of food. All the other slaves think that it is horrible to be on this trip. But, me? No, I love it! I have always been more adventurous, so for me getting to go places, see things, smell half camel and half fresh air! This is amazing! However, it would be more exiting to go on this trip while not being a slave so I can be fed more and have a little bit more muscle to be able to walk this far. But why should I be complaining on the best day of my life? Our next stop is at Taghaza. It will be very critical because of the climate. The climate will be a waterless desert, and water will be short. But, good news the rainy season is beginning! Although rainfall will be spotty at best. Once we finally arrived we had to trade for gold. While the higher class trades, I am sitting with the camels and serving Mansa Musa. The blacks from sudan to the south meet with Berbers from northern Africa to exchange their goods.
"Walata, February, 1324, Morning"
The days have been dragging on and on. There are several days behind and in front of us. Thankfully Allah has been kind enough to give us water in the oasis town. Although it would be nice if I could get a llittle more food. Everyday I have to worry if I will die from lack of food. All the other slaves think that it is horrible to be on this trip. But, me? No, I love it! I have always been more adventurous, so for me getting to go places, see things, smell half camel and half fresh air! This is amazing! However, it would be more exiting to go on this trip while not being a slave so I can be fed more and have a little bit more muscle to be able to walk this far. But why should I be complaining on the best day of my life? Our next stop is at Taghaza. It will be very critical because of the climate. The climate will be a waterless desert, and water will be short. But, good news the rainy season is beginning! Although rainfall will be spotty at best. Once we finally arrived we had to trade for gold. While the higher class trades, I am sitting with the camels and serving Mansa Musa. The blacks from sudan to the south meet with Berbers from northern Africa to exchange their goods.
Document C
"Taghaza, March, 1324, dusk."
We are setting up camp in Taghaza. I am setting up my tent by Mansa Musa's, so in the morning I can get him breakfast and get him ready. While I am doing so, I hear some grumbling noises from in his tent. However, I did not want to get in trouble for listening to their conversation so i decided to leave and continue making my tent. The next morning questions were being asked about the route taken north. I got a little worried at that point. Some of the questions I heard were "Aren't there other ways to get across the Sahara." The town we were in was literally made of salt. I could not believe it was actually made out of salt! I really liked the route that was taken on the hajj. It was very beautiful and worth it.
"Taghaza, March, 1324, dusk."
We are setting up camp in Taghaza. I am setting up my tent by Mansa Musa's, so in the morning I can get him breakfast and get him ready. While I am doing so, I hear some grumbling noises from in his tent. However, I did not want to get in trouble for listening to their conversation so i decided to leave and continue making my tent. The next morning questions were being asked about the route taken north. I got a little worried at that point. Some of the questions I heard were "Aren't there other ways to get across the Sahara." The town we were in was literally made of salt. I could not believe it was actually made out of salt! I really liked the route that was taken on the hajj. It was very beautiful and worth it.
Document D
"Tuwat Oasis, April, 1324, Evening."
My caravan and I, have traveled more than 1,500 miles. It has been a long journey. I can barely stay up with the group. Since I don't get fed a lot I am very weak and it is difficult to walk. While I was walking earlier I overheard several pilgrims discussing what the Qur'an teaches about the duties that Muslims must perform. At that moment I was terrified! None knew what was going to happen to them. I was trying to do the best job at everything do so that I wouldn't die. When ever I saw Mansa Musa I would make sure to be best in front of him and so I would stand up straight and not show any sign of weakness. I think that this journey relates to the teachings of Islam because they are going to Mecca for the pilgrimage. And to be spiritually closer to Alah.
"Tuwat Oasis, April, 1324, Evening."
My caravan and I, have traveled more than 1,500 miles. It has been a long journey. I can barely stay up with the group. Since I don't get fed a lot I am very weak and it is difficult to walk. While I was walking earlier I overheard several pilgrims discussing what the Qur'an teaches about the duties that Muslims must perform. At that moment I was terrified! None knew what was going to happen to them. I was trying to do the best job at everything do so that I wouldn't die. When ever I saw Mansa Musa I would make sure to be best in front of him and so I would stand up straight and not show any sign of weakness. I think that this journey relates to the teachings of Islam because they are going to Mecca for the pilgrimage. And to be spiritually closer to Alah.
Document E
"Cairo, July, 1324, Afternoon."
This morning we arrived at Cairo. There was so much excitement in the air today. And so much activity going on. As I was walking around trying to get the camels somewhere to stay I heard a rumors swirling around that Mansa Musa is not going to meet with the local sultan. When I heard this I got a little frustrated because we came all this way and then he won't even meet with the local sultan. However, I did not tell anyone what I overheard just incase it was false. While I keep my secret I see gold is getting distributed and I want to get some right away since I don't have money. Meanwhile, as I approach the gold a whole crowds of people swormed the gold and I could not believe how much enthusiasm is in the area. I tried to squeeze my way through the crowd and I finally just gave up. However, I could not believe how much gold was being distributed.
"Cairo, July, 1324, Afternoon."
This morning we arrived at Cairo. There was so much excitement in the air today. And so much activity going on. As I was walking around trying to get the camels somewhere to stay I heard a rumors swirling around that Mansa Musa is not going to meet with the local sultan. When I heard this I got a little frustrated because we came all this way and then he won't even meet with the local sultan. However, I did not tell anyone what I overheard just incase it was false. While I keep my secret I see gold is getting distributed and I want to get some right away since I don't have money. Meanwhile, as I approach the gold a whole crowds of people swormed the gold and I could not believe how much enthusiasm is in the area. I tried to squeeze my way through the crowd and I finally just gave up. However, I could not believe how much gold was being distributed.
Document F
"Niani, October, 1375, Evening."
It has been over 50 years since our journey as part of Mansa Musa's historic hajj! I am packing some things to give to my grandson. While I am scrambling through my things I find my little journal that I kept on my hajj journey. I could not believe I actually found it! When I went through reading about how I was a slave and how I survived and everything I was amazed! I love going back in time remembering everything. How I had to serve Mansa Musa and care for the animals. Although, how it does sound pretty bad I did really enjoy it. It was one of the funniest adventures I have ever had! I love feeling the fresh air and getting to go places I have never gotten to go before. Overall, I really loved my journey!
"Niani, October, 1375, Evening."
It has been over 50 years since our journey as part of Mansa Musa's historic hajj! I am packing some things to give to my grandson. While I am scrambling through my things I find my little journal that I kept on my hajj journey. I could not believe I actually found it! When I went through reading about how I was a slave and how I survived and everything I was amazed! I love going back in time remembering everything. How I had to serve Mansa Musa and care for the animals. Although, how it does sound pretty bad I did really enjoy it. It was one of the funniest adventures I have ever had! I love feeling the fresh air and getting to go places I have never gotten to go before. Overall, I really loved my journey!