Ibn Batuta http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1354-ibnbattuta.html http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/batuta.html Read through the first of these two links. Why does Ibn Batuta undertake this journey? By what (or whose) economic means does he sustain himself during the trip? Why does he have the opportunity to meet so many religious and political leaders in the countries through which he travels? How do people know of him in this era of uncertain communications?
What kinds of observations does Ibn Batuta make in the course of his travels? What elements of these foreign societies does he particularly notice? What do these observations tell you about the cultures he visits? What do they tell you about the culture in which he grew up?
Now read the second excerpt from Ibn Batuta. What does he think of the institution of slavery? |