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Left in Mecca-1332

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Today was a long, hard day for me. Ibn Battuta and I, freshly married, took a pilgrimage together. Little did I know it would be my last experience with him. I married him for a better life, not because I loved him. We had just come from Egypt, Syria, and Asia minor. He had used me for my benefits and taken off. Ibn Battuta tricked me into going into the marketplace to buy, when really I was the one being sold. Right back into slavery. This is a picture of me on a boat with my new crewmates. We try to stay optimistic but the unknown of our new life drags us down. We heard rumors of sugar plantations in Italy, but who could be sure. All I can see around me are just big, masses of blue ocean. I am tired and growing weary of this life.

Hajj Journey… Again

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We have been walking for years. I am exhausted. Not to mention the work load has not been cut down at all. We keep on leaving Mecca, only to return as soon as the lunar calendar was at its peak, the days that god is closest spiritually to the earth. When we got to Mecca again, we went through the same rituals. We always circle around the Kaaba, a giant, square prism at the center of Mecca, 7 times as a ritual to god. I do not even know why we do these things. I do not believe in god, along with some other slaves I know. We were told the story of Ishmael, son of prophet Ibrahim. It confuses me. Incase one have not heard it, I will tell it. It started when Ishmael, his wife, and Ibrahim were stranded in the desert. They were very near death because they had no water. Ishmael realized this and decided to take action. He ran back and forth the hills of Safa and Marwa. looking for a fresh water source. He could not find any. The angel Gabriel saw this and with his hand created an everlasting fresh water source for people to enjoy. A monument was built at the site of the spring and kaaba is now the rite of passage, and spiritual center for the world. Many rituals and prayers are said there by many.

First Turkey, Then Mecca for my First Hajj

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Today Ibn Battuta announced we were going to Turkey. I am very nervous because I know some things about Turkey that scare me. I know that treatment of slaves is not very good there. In fact, slaves were even given to masters as hospitality gifts! Since Ibn Battuta has high rank, himself, we will probably seek shelter in the Sultans palace. This is not uncommon. In fact, we have hosted a couple other men of high rank, ourselves!

We have finally arrived in Mecca after many long days  of walking walk for us and a camel ride for Ibn Battuta. We have come to Mecca for a spiritual journey called the Hajj. It is meant for unifying the people, honoring god and erasing one’s sins. This celebration takes place on the final month of the lunar Islamic calendar.

Meeting Ibn Battuta

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Hello, my name is Aabish. I am a slave of Ibn Battuta. My journey begins in Cairo, Egypt where I was first sold to a man. I was then sent to Sijilmasa to meet my owner. Upon arrival, I was judged by strength and finesse and assigned a job. I was an irrigation slave. My job is to get water for my master. I tie a large bucket attached to ropes around my body and draw up fresh water from springs. Some of my friends I met on the ship sailing us from Cairo to Sijilmasa were assigned much better, easier jobs in my mind. My friend Fadila, sent to a different master but in the same place, courted the sultan and eventually became his wife and birth giver. However, my master Ibn Battuta does not believe in that  type of thing. He does not like slave women to have any association with high status or be related to the Sultan. My first day here was hard and laborious but I can always enjoy my sleep. Here is a picture of me after a long day.