When comparing both versions of the map, I found it interesting that it was much easier to pinpoint the different locations on the modern map, than it was on the medieval map. To be more specific, I believed that by using the Tabula Rogeriana map, I would be able to find the locations that Ibn Fadlan traveled to, since it is closer to the map he would have used during his travels. Because Fadlan was a well-known Muslim traveler, the Rogeriana map would be something he might find useful during his travels. This is because it was very detailed, and highlighted many major cities from different countries. It was also created by a Muslim geographer, and had certain middle-eastern places as the center of the map, as well as the south being in the direction of the north in modern day maps. Therefore, when looking up the different locations that Fadlan traveled to, I believed it would easily coincide with the major cities and points indicated on the Rogeriana. However, when trying to find the different cities, it was difficult to connect them. For instance, some of the names of the different locations were not spelled the same way, or they were not located around the same area as they would be on the modern map. However, when doing it on the modern map, it was much easier to find the different places he traveled to, since they were in the same locations, and had some of the same names, just different variations. As I compared the two side by side, the direction in which Fadlan traveled did not match up, although I tried to map them as closely together as possible. For the modern map, the direction of his travels seem to be consistent, whereas with the medieval map, it goes a bit out of order.
Author: heronca (Page 1 of 2)
Nahrawan to Sawa (orange); Sawa to Simnan (green); Simnan to Danaghan (blue); Danaghan to Sarakhs (yellow); Sarakhs to Marw (red); Marw to Bukhara (purple); Bukhara to Khwarazn (brown); Khwarazn to Jurjaniya (black); Jurjaniya to Bulghar (grey)
While in Bulghar, Abu Hamid again focuses on some basic aspects of the city, like the climate of the area and how it affects everything. He first points out that it is mostly built from pine and oak wood, and that it is densely populated with people. He later goes on to say that during the winter, their nights are very long, while the days are short, but during the summer the days are much longer and “hotter than anywhere else in the world,” (66). Some of the interesting things that he focuses on about the weather is how cold it is, and because of the temperature, the ground is almost impossible to dig. Due to the frozen ground, Hamid mentions that he had to wait six months to bury his son, who has died while in the city. He also comments that “the body of the dead are frozen as hard as stone,” (67). Another interesting thing is that during the summer, he says it is also difficult to practice Ramadan and fast in the city because it is so hot. Because of this he then had to “give up and take refuge underground in a room where there was a spring,” (67). Hamid’s focus on the weather seems to be the only negative thing that he has said about the entire city, as the rest of his observations are as he did them before—pure observations with hints of awe at certain features of the city, like the food.
Going back to his normal observations, Hamid then goes on to say that the people are able to survive such a harsh winter is because most of their food and drinks contain honey in it—which he says is very cheap in that area. He also talks about things like finding the bones of the people of Ad and mammoth ivory, as well as the beaver that populates the area near the rivers, and the Aru people that sell the pelts near the city. He focuses a bit on these kinds of observations—things like the beaver and giant birds, imported items like the sword and what they’re sometimes traded for, and the sky.
With all these observations, I believe he continued to express some form of admiration, and again seems to just be taking everything in objectively in most cases. Apart from his comments on the weather that focused on some of the negatives of both extreme seasons, Hamid does not seems to do this with any of the other subjects that he talks about. Even his weather observations barely contained any true harsh language, as Hamid did not outright make any personal affronts apart from pointing out the obvious—the ground was frozen during the winter, and it was too hot to practice Ramadan during the summer. His admiration for everything else however, is made apparent through his long passages focusing on the more basic things, as well as his positive language like, “the beaver is a wonderful animal,” (69). Again, I believe his purpose is to just highlight certain aspects of the city, and learn more about them in an objective manner.
When Abu Hamid arrives in the city of Saqsin, he notices that it is inhabited by 40 different tribes, all of which have a different amir. When talking about their living spaces, Hamid goes into detail about both their huts—how big they are and them being covered in felt—and their surrounding community. Among them are merchants who come from all over in grand numbers, and the mosques set up for different groups of people. There’s one for the Khazars, Bulghars, the Suwar, and others. “On feast days they set up many pulpits and each amir prays in front of many different nations. Each different group has its own judges, religious scholars and preachers,” (63). By stating this, Hamid highlights the fact that each group of people has their own specific way of living in the city. He even mentions that he has made his home among them, and in fact keeps his family there, before pointing out that the country itself is very cold.
He goes on to talk about the various elements of the city, including its food sources, currency, and the different features the area has to offer. Hamid comments on how he’s never seen the type of fish they have in their rivers before, and describes how some of them are as big as a person. He even mentions how they taste even better than lamb or chicken, and “enough oil comes out of their belly to provide lighting for a month,” (64). In the way he talks about it, Hamid clearly thinks their fish are amazing, and is in awe of how much in abundance there is. As far as the city’s currency, Hamid claims that they use a sort of white lead, “valued at one dinar for eight Baghdadi mann. They cut it into little bits and use it to buy the fruit, bread and meat they want,” (64). He mentions that their meat is cheap, and they also have various fruits in abundance.
Later on, Hamid also talks about the climate, and how because it can get really cold during the year, their houses are built to withstand it. They’re made out of pine and covered in sheepskin so as to keep the warmth in. He also says “the river freezes until it is like land,” (65) where people, as well as animals, are able to travel across it, and that the snow is even different colors in some parts of the land where people come to take it down the river to another city called Bulghar.
In the way he talks about this city, Abu Hamid seems to admire it very much. There is no criticism when he describes their living situations, or the climate/features of the land. Even when speaking of their customs, and how different groups of people have their own way of doing things, Hamid just seems to be taking it all in. He even goes as far as to compliment some things—like their food. In doing so, I believe his purpose is to simply list these things about the city as a way to learn more about them.
When he crosses the river of Jawshir, Ibn Fadlan talks a lot about the culture of the area, especially when they are in the company of the “King of the Saqaliba”. Fadlan accounted for every move the King made, from when he greeted them and “dismounted [from his horse] and fell down with his face to the ground to give thanks to God, the All High, the Almighty,” (25) to when they are all sitting down having dinner. Although they stayed in tents, it was interesting to see all the formal interactions they had during dinner and the exchanging of gifts. When Fadlan gives the king and his wife gifts from his home, I was curious about the money is scattered everywhere in response, and wondered if there was a deeper significance than simple gratitude. Fadlan also points out the way in which they have to eat. Noticing that the King eats first before serving everyone, he goes on to mention that this was their culture; “no one touches a dish unless the king has served him. As soon as he receives his share, a table is brought,” (27). However, these little traits Fadlan decided to point out however may differ from that of the common people, as opposed to someone who is of a higher status.
Later on, he also talks about all the “uncounted marvels” he saw in the area. With the northern lights, Fadlan talks about how he saw the horizon “turn a brilliant shade of red and in the upper air there was great noise and tumult,” (31). He describes it as men from two different sides clashing against each other; because they have never seen such a spectacle, Fadlan and his men began to pray. Another set of marvels he mentions is the howling of the dogs, and how “the people of that land consider the howling of dogs as a great blessing,” (33) as well as the many snakes about the place. He also talks about all the food they make (and how they make it) and the kinds of trees and things that they were surrounded by that he never saw before—as well as the kinds of social expectations that they have (punishments, taboos, family dynamic, etc.).
From the ways in which he focuses on certain details and customs of the people he met in this area, Fadlan seems to be most concerned with how different they are from his own people and customs. He notices how they eat, cook, and dress differently, as well as how their fraternal customs are a bit unorthodox to him. I believe he is noting all these differences in order to better understand the culture in this case. He does not seem to be judging them too much, apart from his usual outbursts of disgust or disbelief when he witnesses something he doesn’t like. However, overall Fadlan seems to just be taking in all the information he is given, and using it as a way to know the people better.