Ibn Battuta In Black Africa Book Summary

IBN Battuta in Black Africa, by Said Hamdun and Noel King, is a narrative about IBN Battuta’s travels through the previously unknown black Africa. The purpose of the book is to provide a personal viewpoint of Battuta’s expedition through the continent of Africa in 1325 to the rest of the world. Battuta traveled into the continent of Africa offering unique documentation, which was later recorded completely by memory. In addition to this, he created a highly personal report of the private lives, morals and trade of the people in East and West Africa. Battuta’s involvement in the world of Islam allowed him to travel without money or resources, understand and be understood by most people and receive hospitality from Muslim rulers and merchants. Battuta’s personal remarks allow the book to provide an insight into the man himself. Said Hamdun and Noel Kings’ book about the travels of IBN Battuta is compelling.

Some of the customs in which he is confronted with please him and others simply enrage him. In this period, it was proper etiquette among Islamic believers to be extremely hospitable towards their neighbor. As the reader can quickly conclude, Battuta had opinionated moral standards and ideas of what he thought was right and wrong. Battuta was what authors believe to be in modern terms, a class act. This is evident when he provides negative criticism towards the sultan’s who did not engage him the way he deemed appropriate. In one instance, Battuta laughed at a welcoming gift that he received from the Sultan of Mali. He comments on his suspicion of the sultan’s weakness of mind and his obvious amplification of the insignificant presence. This engagement reveals Battuta’s bloated ego and maturity level as he openly expressed his true feelings toward a higher authority, which was highly inappropriate during this