Niani, January, 1324, Morning
Today, I am about to travel alongside of Mansa Musa for our hajj. It was early morning in Niani as 60,000 people, and 1,000 camels were getting ready. I saw hundreds of slaves making their way through the crowd carrying loads of gold and gifts. Camels rested by the river, some of them already having hundreds of pounds of gold atop them. A nasty smell suddenly overwhelmed me, and I quickly covered my nose. As the king's royal griot, I pushed my camel through the crowds, positioning myself near the front close to the king. I knew that this journey would be dangerous, for we had to cross hot deserts and wild savannahs. I knew that people would die, and I had this doubt that if we stored enough food and water for 60,000 people and camels. But, the king had ordered, I along with other griots, had to record all the important events on this journey, then capturing these memories to tell to clans. As I try to look beyond all I see is the waterless desert, all I do is hope for the best.
Walata, February, 1324, Morning
It has been a month since our departure from Niani, and we finally arrived in Walata. Although we are already several days behind our schedule, I'm thankful for Allah watching over us and giving us plenty of water in this oasis. But the next part of our journey is getting me worried though, and we might need more than Allah's guidance. Water is also running low, but with the rainy season coming in, I'm sure we'll be fine. I'm sitting under the shade of a palm tree in Walata, and looking around, I'm very impressed with this place. I can see goods being exchanged from the people form north Africa to the Africans to the south. The atmosphere is very friendly here in Walata, and I hope that Mansa Musa will let us stay here longer.
Taghaza, March, 1324, Dusk
Already, I can hear the grumbles of many people and their anger toward King Mansa Musa. Crossing the waterless desert already cost many people's lives from dehydration, and now we have arrived in a dirty dump of Taghaza. I was positive that there had to be other ways to get to Mecca. Although I'm slightly disappointed with the king's decision myself, I am quite startled and fascinated with is city. The whole town was like carved from salt! Even the houses are made from salt and camel skin! Everywhere, I see slaves digging and carrying loads of salt on their heads. Although no one is quite sure why Mansa Musa dragged us here, but my guess is that our king needed to gather loads of salt to bring as gifts to other empires. I really hope we can reach Cairo soon, and may Allah help us with the journey to come.
Tuwat Oasis, April, 1324, Evening
Our journey has taken us 1,500 miles, and with Allah's guidance, hopefully we'll reach Mecca in a few months. We are now camping in the Tuwat Oasis, and by now, I have started to hear some of my griot friends discussing what the Qur'an teaches and what Muslims must do. Throughout this journey, Mansa Musa has commanded that there shall be no violence, hatred, or arguments, influenced by verse 2:197. The whole reason we are headed for the holy city of Mecca is because of verse 2:196, which encourages Muslims to make a pilgrimage throughout there lives. Also Mansa Musa brought many gifts of gold to give to other empires, and according to verse 2:195 and 2:271, God loves the charitable, and will reward anyone who does. Much of this adventure is based on the Qur'an and its teachings. The verses all have great meanings and will transform many lives, including mine.
Cairo, July, 1324, Afternoon
Everyone in the caravan is abuzz with excitement from our arrival in Cairo, including me. As we parade through the streets, I heard rumors that Mansa Musa would not meet the sultan. Although he said that it was because he didn't want to mix anything with the pilgrimage, I noticed the doubt in his eye's and knew that was untrue. Meanwhile, I was also worried about the amount of gold Mansa Musa was distributing out. Even though the Qur'an said to be charitable, he flooded Cairo, leaving phenomenal amounts of gold to almost every royal officer of Cairo. Also when the Qur'an said it's better to give charity in private, I felt like Mansa Musa was showing off on how rich he was.
Niani, October, 1375, Evening
It has been over 50 years since Mansa Musa has lead us to Mecca, 4,000 miles away. I remember all the exciting details of our adventure, passing the stories and gifts down from my children now to my grandchildren. Sometime along the journey, Mansa Musa's pilgrimage became famous in Europe too! And only recently published was the Catalan Atlas, describing it! Looking back, I realized how important the hajj was to my life. Traveling 4,000 miles to the holy city alongside Mansa Musa was a great honor, and it was defiantly worth the money and time. The empire is now flourishing with spectacular mosques and architecture, and Muslim schools were built. Mali is defiantly a whole new place thanks to our journey to Mecca.