Ibn Battuta's Journey to Timbuktu

In 1352, the Moroccan scholar and world traveler Ibn Battuta crossed the Sahara to visit the Mali Empire. His detailed account offers a rare, firsthand glimpse into Timbuktu at the height of its early prosperity—decades before the city became a renowned center of learning. From the brutal salt mines of Taghaza to the bustling streets of Walata and the Niger River crossing, Battuta recorded everything: the customs of the court of Mansa Suleyman, the astonishing courtesy of the women, the food (millet and dried fish), and the legendary gold wealth. Yet he also noted tensions: the suspicion of strangers, the harsh climate, and the limits of royal power. This episode follows his entire West African leg, examining what Battuta's travelogue reveals about the Sahel in the 14th century—its trade networks, social hierarchies, and cultural practices. We also explore the controversies in his account and how modern historians piece together the Mali Empire from his words. A journey through sand, salt, and scholarship. #IbnBattuta #MaliEmpire #Timbuktu #MansaSuleyman #Taghaza #Walata #NigerRiver #SaharanTrade #Travelogue #WestAfrica #14thCentury #SaltMines #GoldTrade #AfricanHistory #MedievalTravel #Sahel #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo