Late Middle Ages · Africa · Exploration

1352

Ibn Battuta crosses the Sahara to Mali

1352

Now in his late forties, the indefatigable Moroccan joined a salt caravan from Sijilmasa to Walata. He visited the Mali capital Niani, was unimpressed by the local etiquette of throwing dust on one's head before the king, but admired the security of the roads and the piety of the people.