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Index
Index
The153 Club
The Agades Cross
People of the Sahara
Saharan Landscapes
Saharan Salt Trade
The Gundi
Illizi Festival 2000
Sahara Freeze-up
Camel Cheese
153 News Update
Join the 153 Club
Père de Foucauld
L'Arbre du Ténéré
1
L'Arbre du Ténéré 2
Saharan Forts 1
Saharan Forts 2
Saharan Rock Art
Giraffe Engravings
Leo Africanus
Battuta's Saharan travels
Shabeni's Timbuktu
Timbuctoo the Mysterious
Heroditus & Pliny on Libya
Timbuktu, a poem
Joliba Trust
Ibn Khaldûn quotes 1
Ibn Khaldûn quotes 2
Ibn Khaldûn quotes 3
Ibn Khaldûn quotes 4
Ibn Khaldûn quotes 5
Ibn Khaldûn quotes 6
Old Michelin Maps
Early NW Africa Map 1
Early NW Africa Map 2
Early NW Africa Map 3
Early NW Africa Map 4
Early NW Africa Map 5
Saharan Exploration
Henry Barth 1
Henry Barth 2
Henry Barth 3
Denham & Clapperton 1
Denham & Clapperton 2
Haardt & Audouin-Dubreuil 1
Haardt & Audouin-Dubreuil 2
Haardt & Audouin-Dubreuil 3
Haardt & Audouin-Dubreuil 4
External Links
Jim
Mann Taylor's Home Page
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| Leo Africanus was born in Granada in 1485 and died
in Tunis in 1554. He was educated in Fez and travelled widely in
Africa, visiting Timbuctoo twice. The following description of the
town is taken from John Pory's translation of 1600 modified in places
with that of Francis Moore in 1738. |
Of the Kingdom of Tombuto
This name was in our times (as some think) imposed
upon this kingdom from the name of a certain town so called, which
(they say)- king Mense Suleiman founded in the year of the Hegira
610, and it is situate within twelve miles of a certain branch of
the river Niger. The houses here are built in the shape of bells,
the walls are stakes or hurdles plastered over with clay and the
houses covered with reeds. Yet there is a most stately temple to
be seen, the walls whereof are made of stone and lime; and a royal
palace also built by a most excellent artist from Granada. Here
are many shops of artificers, and merchants, and especially of such
as weave linen and cotton cloth. And hither do the Barbary merchants
bring cloth of Europe. All the women of this region except maidservants
go with their faces covered, and sell food. The inhabitants, and
especially strangers that reside there, are exceeding rich, inasmuch,
that the king that now has married both his daughters unto two rich
merchants. Here are many wells, containing most sweet water; and
so often as the river. Niger overfloweth, they convey the water
thereof by certain sluices into the town. Corn, cattle, milk, and
butter this region yieldeth in great abundance, but salt is very
scarce here; for it is brought hither by land from Tegaza, which
is five hundred miles distant. When I myself was here, I saw one
camel's load of salt sold for 8o ducats. The rich king of Tombuto
hath many plates and sceptres of gold, some whereof weigh 1300 pounds:
and he keeps a magnificent and well furnished court. When he travels
anywhere he rideth upon a camel, which is led by some of his noblemen
; and so he doth likewise when he goes to war, and all his soldiers
ride upon horses. Whosoever will speak unto this king must first
fall down before his feet, and then taking up earth must sprinkle
it upon his own head and shoulders: which custom is ordinarily observed
by them that never saluted the king before, or come as ambassadors
from other princes. He hath always three thousand horsemen, and
a great number of footmen that shoot poisoned arrows, attending
upon him. They have often skirmishes with those that refuse to pay
tribute, and so many as they take, they sell unto the merchants
of Tombuto. Here are very few horses bred, and the merchants and
courtiers keep certain little nags which they use to travel upon:
but their best horses are brought out of Barbary. And the king as
soon as he heareth that any merchants are come to town with horses,
he commandeth a certain number to be brought before him, and choosing
the best horse for himself, he payeth a most liberal price for them.
He has such an inveterate hatred for all Jews, that he will not
admit any into his city: and whatsoever Barbary merchants he understandeth
have any dealings with the Jews, he immediately causeth their goods
to be confiscated. Here are great store of doctors, judges, priests,
and other learned men, that are bountifully maintained at the kings
cost and charges. And hither are brought diverse manuscripts or
written books out of Barbary, which are sold for more money than
any other merchandise. The coin of Tombuto is of gold without any
stamp or superscription: but in matters of small value they use
certain shells brought hither out of the kingdom of Persia, four
hundred of which shells are worth a ducat: and six pieces of their
golden coin with two third parts weigh an ounce. The inhabitants
are people of a gentle and cheerful disposition, and spend a great
part of the night in singing and dancing through all the streets
of the city: they keep great store of men and women slaves, and
their town is much in danger of fire: When I was there the second
time almost half the town was burnt in the space of five hours.
Outside the suburbs there are no gardens nor orchards at all.
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