Who was Ibn Battuta?
Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battutah (24 February 1304 – 1368/1369), commonly known as Ibn Battuta, was a Maghrebi traveler, explorer and scholar. Over a period of thirty years from 1325 to 1354, Ibn Battuta visited most of North Africa, the Middle East, East Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, the Iberian Peninsula, and West Africa.
The videos I have linked are ones that go into the main parts of Ibn Battuta's travels without going into the length of what happens between. The video on the left is what I keep listening to the most as I found it more informative and gave me some thoughts on what to draw about.
I also listened to the BBC Podcast here
The podcast itself was more comedic all while still talking about relevant topics. However it is a bit lengthy.
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What did Ibn Battuta do?
- Ibn Battuta was a lawyer from Morocco in North Africa.
- In 1325, he set off on his first hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. It took him over a year to get there.
- He travelled to modern day Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and East Africa.
- He then went to India where he worked as a judge.
- Ibn Battuta also visited Sri Lanka, China and modern Syria.
- He then travelled through North Africa to Timbuktu.
- During his travels, the Black Death was killing thousands of people. However, he avoided it.
- When he arrived home, he wrote about his journeys in a book. It is known as the Rihla.
North Africa, Morocco
Ibn Battuta, being born in Tangier, Morocco, did not embark on his travels within Morocco itself, as his journeys began with a pilgrimage to Mecca. However, it's important to note that Ibn Battuta's experiences in Morocco before his extensive travels likely included exploring local markets, interacting with the diverse cultural influences in cities like Marrakech, and possibly engaging in educational pursuits. His early life in Morocco served as a foundation for his later adventures, and the cultural richness of his homeland likely played a role in shaping his perspective as he embarked on his remarkable travels throughout the Islamic world and beyond.
Middle East, Mecca
Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba praising Allah together. The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. During the Hajj the Pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world. Mecca is a place that is holy to all Muslims. It is so holy that no non-Muslim is allowed to enter. For Muslims, the Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are physically able. Ibn Battuta would come back to Mecca as he enjoyed his stay there and had a positive experience.
India, Delhi
After his travels to Mecca, Ibn Battuta wanted to keep exploring and eventually made his way to India. This is where he had came across the Sultan of Delhi who had a liking for Battuta and offered him the Qadi (Judge) of Delhi title. Ibn Battuta found it hard to enforce Islamic law in India outside of Delhi. He was kidnapped by Hindus but later released and made his way to Pakistan. The Sultan of Delhi was located at The hall of a thousand pillars which is a historical Hindu temple located in the town of Hanamakonda, Telangana State, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.
China, Beijing
The last place Ibn Battuta had travelled to was China where he had seen the Great Wall for himself. He arrived in Quanzhou and travelled to close areas up to Hangzhou which had been the biggest city he had came across. He made his way to Beijing where he would introduce himself as the long lost ambassador from Delhi which had earned him various invitations. He would make way back to Quanzhou towards South East Asia back to Morocco where he learned that his parents had died. Knowing he had nothing back in Morocco he went back out to travel until he was told to come back where he would write his book.
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Book Designing
I felt as though after researching more about Ibn Battuta that stamps wouldn't be able to capture his journey as properly and have switched to wanting to create a book where I can show his journey through larger spreads as well as text. Below I've linked some vidoes, most of which I skipped to the main points of creating a picture book.
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Target Audience
Before getting too much into drawing I needed to find out the target audience, what age range am I creating this book for? what style will keep the audience captivated to read more? How much text does the book need to contain as it ranges from ages, younger children have limited text to focus more on simple words whereas older readers can read a bit more. This is usually for non-illustrated books so for my project I will overall have less text as I will focus more on the illustrations. As this is a History based project I feel like my age range will be for young children around the ages of 3-8.
Artist Research
For my particular stamps I want them to have a feel of traditional pencils but as I'm not able to use my regular art supplies I will try and mimic the style digitally. Each set of stamps will show the journey Ibn Battuta went through. I like the way most the artists have used traditional media as well as hints of digital work added on.
Written Text
Although I don't need to worry much about the written work, I made small paragraphs for each city that Battuta had travelled to. I will need to figure out if I am wanting double-page spreads or have some spreads somewhat blend into one another while still making it seem that he's travelled, this will be thought about during the thumbnail stages. The cities I've included are in order of his journey. My original text seemed far too informative so I've re-written it to fit how much a 7-10 year old could read.
Morocco
Ibn Battuta, born in Tangier, Morocco, embarked on his travels in 1325 after completing a pilgrimage to Mecca. Before venturing beyond Morocco, he explored its cities, including Marrakech, where he likely encountered the vibrant markets, intricate architecture, and the cultural amalgamation of Arab and Berber influences.
Re-written: Ibn Battuta was born in Tangier, Morocco. In 1325, after he visited a special place called Mecca, he started his big adventures. But before he left Morocco, he checked out places like Marrakech. There, he probably saw busy markets, really cool buildings, and how the Arab and Berber cultures mixed together.
Ibn Battuta, born in Tangier, Morocco, embarked on his travels in 1325 after completing a pilgrimage to Mecca. Before venturing beyond Morocco, he explored its cities, including Marrakech, where he likely encountered the vibrant markets, intricate architecture, and the cultural amalgamation of Arab and Berber influences.
Re-written: Ibn Battuta was born in Tangier, Morocco. In 1325, after he visited a special place called Mecca, he started his big adventures. But before he left Morocco, he checked out places like Marrakech. There, he probably saw busy markets, really cool buildings, and how the Arab and Berber cultures mixed together.
Mecca
Mecca was a pivotal point in Ibn Battuta's journey. He visited Mecca multiple times, participating in the Hajj pilgrimage. His accounts detail the religious fervor, the bustling atmosphere of the Grand Mosque, and the rituals performed by pilgrims, providing a vivid portrayal of Mecca's significance as the spiritual center of Islam.
Re-written: Mecca was super important for Ibn Battuta during his travels. He went there many times for something called the Hajj pilgrimage. He wrote about how everyone was so excited about their religion, how busy and lively the Grand Mosque was, and all the special things people did as part of their pilgrimage. He showed how Mecca was like the heart of Islam, where everyone came together for something really special.
Mecca was a pivotal point in Ibn Battuta's journey. He visited Mecca multiple times, participating in the Hajj pilgrimage. His accounts detail the religious fervor, the bustling atmosphere of the Grand Mosque, and the rituals performed by pilgrims, providing a vivid portrayal of Mecca's significance as the spiritual center of Islam.
Re-written: Mecca was super important for Ibn Battuta during his travels. He went there many times for something called the Hajj pilgrimage. He wrote about how everyone was so excited about their religion, how busy and lively the Grand Mosque was, and all the special things people did as part of their pilgrimage. He showed how Mecca was like the heart of Islam, where everyone came together for something really special.
Delhi
In his travels through India, Ibn Battuta reached Delhi during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He held the position of a qadi, or judge, in the city for a short period. His experiences in Delhi offered insights into the political complexities, cultural diversity, and grandeur of the Sultanate's capital during that era. The city was a thriving hub of trade, scholarship, and architectural marvels.
Re-written: When Ibn Battuta travelled to India, he went to a place called Delhi while a Sultan named Muhammad bin Tughlaq was in charge. For a little while, he worked as a judge there, called a qadi. His time in Delhi taught him a lot about how things worked there. It was a big city full of different people, with lots of trade going on, smart people learning things, and amazing buildings all around!
In his travels through India, Ibn Battuta reached Delhi during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He held the position of a qadi, or judge, in the city for a short period. His experiences in Delhi offered insights into the political complexities, cultural diversity, and grandeur of the Sultanate's capital during that era. The city was a thriving hub of trade, scholarship, and architectural marvels.
Re-written: When Ibn Battuta travelled to India, he went to a place called Delhi while a Sultan named Muhammad bin Tughlaq was in charge. For a little while, he worked as a judge there, called a qadi. His time in Delhi taught him a lot about how things worked there. It was a big city full of different people, with lots of trade going on, smart people learning things, and amazing buildings all around!
Beijing
Ibn Battuta's journey to China took him through various cities, including Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing, during the Yuan Dynasty. His observations included admiration for the advanced infrastructure, bustling markets, and the sophistication of Chinese society. He marveled at the Great Wall and encountered diverse customs, leaving behind valuable accounts of medieval China.
Re-written: Ibn Battuta went on a big trip to China and visited places like Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing when a group called the Yuan Dynasty ruled there. He thought their roads and buildings were super cool, and the markets were always busy. The people were really smart, and he saw a huge wall called the Great Wall! He learned a lot about how they lived and did things, and he wrote it all down to remember and share with others
Ibn Battuta's journey to China took him through various cities, including Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing, during the Yuan Dynasty. His observations included admiration for the advanced infrastructure, bustling markets, and the sophistication of Chinese society. He marveled at the Great Wall and encountered diverse customs, leaving behind valuable accounts of medieval China.
Re-written: Ibn Battuta went on a big trip to China and visited places like Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing when a group called the Yuan Dynasty ruled there. He thought their roads and buildings were super cool, and the markets were always busy. The people were really smart, and he saw a huge wall called the Great Wall! He learned a lot about how they lived and did things, and he wrote it all down to remember and share with others
Image Inspiration
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Morocco
Morocco, with its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural tapestry blending Arab, Berber, and French influences, offers a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. |
Mecca
Mecca, situated in the western part of Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam, revered for the Kaaba within the Grand Mosque. A pilgrimage destination for millions during Hajj, Mecca holds profound religious significance, featuring the sacred rituals of Islam and a spiritual atmosphere that draws Muslims from around the world. |
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Delhi
Delhi, the capital territory of India, is a dynamic metropolis where ancient history meets modernity, showcasing a rich tapestry of Mughal and British colonial architecture, bustling markets, and a diverse cultural heritage. |
Beijing
Beijing, the capital of China, is a city where ancient history coexists with modernity. Renowned for its iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, Beijing offers a glimpse into China's imperial past while embracing rapid urban development, vibrant street life, and a thriving cultural scene. |
Ibn Battuta
Thumbnails
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These sketches were made when I initially wanted to go through the Stamp route, I still plan to use some of these ideas for the book designs. My main reason for changing is due to how the quality looked when i was sketching, I didn't like how bad it came out and wanted to overall work on a larger canvas. I need to re work in the portrait as the features are too soft and I need to understand facial hair more as well.
Book Sizing
Book Thumbnails
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Rickshaw
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Temples in Delhi
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Markets in Beijing
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Camels
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Morocco / Cover Pages
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Mecca
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Delhi
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Beijing
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Finals
For my finals, I had to try and figure out how I was going to go about this as I didn't have much time left to finish off properly. For my cover, I decided to add some things about Morocco to show Ibn Battuta's journey and how he was born there. I added a different description to the back compared to what I would if it was a full-page Illustration. The first pages show his journey to Mecca were I was informed he rode a camel throughout his journey to Mecca. For the page next to the main illustration I wanted something more minimal to be able to get through this project within the deadline but also show what Mecca has. The last page is Delhi , I feel it was more rushed than the rest but I like the way the colours still stand out. I had to completely leave out Beijing, I do not believe he spent much time there other than for trading. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the finals but wish I could have had more time to focus on smaller details to make the illustrations look more lively and fun for the age range I thought about.