Ibn Battuta’s Travels and Perceptions Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn Battuta was a Muslim scholar in the 1300s who traveled throughout the known world. He traveled throughout Africa, the Middle East, and even into China. In his commentary on the journey, ibn Battuta gives us some insights into himself, his biases, and his perceptions. His accounts acc ounts cover c over his travels, and his experiences ex periences on those travels, including his trip to the “Foot of Adam”, as well as his visit to China. He also makes some comparisons between local practices and the Islamic Law that he teaches and was taught. While Battuta traveled extensively, and recorded much in his journals, he was not objective, and his biases do show at some points. One of the most important and noticeable of these biases is his view on local culture, which he felt should be subordinate to the Islamic Law that he taught. One of the first conflicts in the account comes while he was on the Maldive Islands. Battuta, a more hardline follower of Islamic Law then the locals, states that, “Once, when I ordered a thief’s hand to be cut off, a number of those in the room fainted”1 While this did not result in any further conflict, it showed the differences differences between the local customs and the Islamic Law preached by ibn Battuta. His attitude towards women could be seen as another bias, but this is not as notable. He mentions how, “It is a strange thing about these islands that their ruler is a woman, Khadija” Khadija”2 This is probably just a commentary on how he is used to dealing with male rulers, but the tone suggests that he is against this. He had many wives, and almost as many concubines throughout the course of his travels, saying after describing his marriage to the daughter of the wazir, “Meanwhile I had married three other wives”3 . His biases make him slightly less likely to approve of local customs, especially in situations where they go against Islamic teachings.
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Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn Battuta, “From Travels” in The Islamic World, ed. William H McNeill and Mary Robinson Waldman (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978) 275 2 Battuta 279 3 Battuta 284
The subjects that Battuta were most interested in were the local customs, as well as how they interacted with Islamic Law. One incident where this led to conflict came because of the Maldivian women not dressing the way that ibn Battuta felt was taught by Islamic law. In the Maldives, probably due to the hot climate, the woman dressed differently than they did in the Middle East and in the areas of Africa where ibn Battuta had lived previously. As ibn Battuta described it, “Most of them only wear an apron from their waist to the ground, the rest of their bodies being uncovered”4 Battuta was used to women covering up much more of their bodies, and therefore against this local practice. Unfortunately for ibn Battuta, “When I held the qadiship there, I tried to put an end to this practice and ordered them to wear clothes, but I met with no success.”5 Battuta also remarks on the fact that many people took pilgrimages to the “Foot of Adam”, which he does not seem to disapprove of, as he does not complain that they have chosen to go to the “Foot” rather than to Mecca. The subject that Battuta was most interested was the peoples and customs of the areas that he was in, perhaps because he felt it could help him judge better. For example, he describes the inhabitants of the Maldives as “all Muslims, pious and upright”, as well as saying that “The Islands are divided into twelve districts, each under a governor whom they call the Kardui”6 He also describes China and Chinese practices, such as the fact that “the Chinese sell their sons and daughters, and consider it no disgrace” 7 Another subject that ibn Battuta showed interest in was local landmarks, notably the “Foot of Adam”. He describes it thusly, “The blessed Footprint, the Foot of our father Adam, is on a lofty black rock in a wide plateau. The blessed Foot sank into the rock far enough to leave its impression hollowed out.”8 This “Foot” was a well-known pilgrimage site for many people, and ibn Battuta had
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Battuta 276 Battuta 276 6 Battuta 274 7 Battuta 296 8 Battuta 291 5
wanted to see it for himself. He stayed there for three days before leaving and returning to Sharkarwarti’s city. Battuta chiefly interacted with the politically powerful members of society. These included the rulers of societies, as well as other office-holders in the same ruling class. For example, on the island of Mahal, the leader was called a Wazir. Once informed of ibn Battuta’s identity, “he sent for me to join in a banquet attended by the amirs and ministers”9 Battuta was well known as a judge, and that distinction often got him invited to this type of event. He also mentions his welcome by the Sultan Ayri Sharkarwarti, which was important because Sharkarwarti was not actually a Muslim, and was referred to by Battuta as “the infidel Sultan Ayri Sharkawarti”10 . Unfortunately however, this association with the elites also had a detrimental effect. It led to Battuta being slightly less in touch with those of lesser power in society, which was the vast majority. However, he did work as a judge, which in turn did give Battuta some access to the local population. It also had ill effects if he insulted a ruler or offended him, like what happened with Mahal’s Wazir, Sulayman. One of the most important parts of ibn Battuta’s account comes in his descriptions of China, which help show how a traditional Muslim might view China at the time. In describing the Chinese people and religious customs, ibn Battuta comes off as very harsh. He describes them as “infidels, who worship idols and burn their dead like Hindus”11 While this was true, it carries a negative connotation, especially for other Muslims. He describes China as “of vast extent, and abounding in produce, fruits, grain, gold and silver”12 He offers similar commentary on Chinese goods and items, especially the making of porcelain, which he goes into in some detail. He also describes the Chinese economy, which
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Battuta 281 Battuta 287 11 Battuta 293 12 Battuta 292 10
works similar to a modern economy with banks and paper money, backed up by gold and silver. Despite his somewhat harsh criticisms of the Chinese people, he also states that “In every Chinese city, there is a quarter for Muslims, in which they live by themselves, and in which they have mosques both for Friday services and for other religious purposes. The Muslims are honored and respected”13 Battuta’s accounts offer a crucial view into his mind, and therefore into the minds of other Muslims at the time. The perceptions that he shares with readers can help us realize how other Muslims would view these things. Especially important were his observations is China, which few others in the Islamic World had ever experienced.
McNeill, William H. and Marilyn Robinson Waldman, ed. The Islamic World. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1978
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Battuta 293
