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A Description of Timbuktu, 1600

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A Description of Timbuktu, 1600 Name: ___________________________________________ A DescriptionPrimary of Source Timbuktu Analysis , 1600 Leo Africanus was an Arab man born in Granada, Spain. History remembers Leo by several different names, but that seems to be because he spoke and worked in multiple languages – including Arabic, Spanish, Italian, and Latin. Leo was given the name “Africanus” because he was of African heritage and spent his early childhood in Africa, fitting for a man who would write so much about the continent. Although Leo does not specify the exact date of his birth in any of his writings, from what he does tell us we can surmise that he was born in the early 1490s and may have lived in Granada at the time King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were taking the throne. Leo’s family is not named either but we know that his father was a wealthy and respected land owner and his uncle was an ambassador to Timbuktu. Leo’s life seems privileged, as alluded to in his writings and considering his vast travels throughout Africa. In his thirties, while on a journey to Constantinople, Leo was captured and enslaved by Turkish pirates. Because Leo was highly educated, the pirates gifted him to Pope Leo X. The Pope was impressed by Leo’s education and knowledge, freed him from slavery, and paid him to remain in the Pope’s employment. Leo “converted” to Catholicism and spent a number of enjoyable years in Rome. How Leo spent the later years of his life is unknown. He likely lived through Charles V’s takeover of Rome, and it is entirely possible that Leo was forced into hiding or exile. Although many details of his personal life are unknown, Leo provided us with some of the best descriptions of Africa that we have available from this era. He was reputable and respected, and his works were popular with the Europeans of his generation. Of the Kingdom of Tombuto1 By Yuhanna al-Asad al-Gharnati (John the Lion of Granada; also known as Leo Africanus) The 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 610,2 and it is situated within twelve miles of a certain branch of Niger3. All the houses whereof are now changed into cottages built with chalk,4 and covered with thatch. Howbeit there is a most stately temple to be seen. The walls whereof are made of stone and lime; and a princely palace also built by a most excellent workman of Granada. Here are many shops of artificers,5 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 maid-servants go with their faces covered, and sell all necessary victuals. The inhabitants, and especially strangers there residing, are exceeding rich, insomuch, that the king that now is, 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 sluces6 into the town. Corn, cattle, milk, and butter this region yield in great abundance: but salt is very scare here; for it is 1 Leo referred to Timbuktu as Tombuto. 2 The year of the Hegira 610: approximately 1232 AD 3 Referring to the Niger River 4 Could also be translated “clay” 5 Artificer: a skilled craftsman or inventor 6 Sluice: a device that controls the flow of water © 422History brought hither by land from Tegaza,7 which is five hundred miles distant. When I myself was here, I saw one camel load of salt sold for 80 ducates.8 The rich king of Timbuktu had so many plates and scepters of gold, some whereof weigh 1300 pounds: and he keeps a magnificent and well-furnished court. When he travelled anywhere he rides upon a camel, which is led by some nobleman; and so he doth likewise when he goes to warfare, and all his soldiers ride upon horses. Whosoever will speak unto this king must first fall down before his feet & then taking up earth must sprinkle it upon his own head & 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 enemy soldiers as they take, they sell unto the merchants of Timbuktu. 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 so 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 him. He so deadly hateth all Jews, that he will not admit any into his city, and whatsoever Barbary merchants he understandeth has dealings with the Jews, he presently 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 divers manuscripts or written books out of Barbary, which are sold for more money than any merchandise. The coin of Timbuktu is gold without any stamp or superscription; but in matters of small value, they use certain shells brought hither out of the kingdom of Persia, several hundred of which shells are worth a ducate; and six pieces of their golden coin with two thirds 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. At my second being there half the town almost was burnt in five hours space. Without the suburbs there are no gardens or orchards at all. Timbuktu 7 Tegaza: a salt-mining center in northern Mali, approximately 500 miles north of Timbuktu 8 Ducat: a gold coin from Venice commonly used in European trade throughout the second millennium © 422History .
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