Quotes About Ibn Battuta

Unlike his contemporary Sir John Mandeville, who, at least in later parts of his book, got away with the travel-literary equivalent of murder, Ibn Battuta's veracity was in the dock wherever he went.

While visiting Mali's capital, Ibn Battuta was received by the king, who was at that time Mansa Musa's son. Ibn Battuta was offended by the king's lack of generosity. The traveler complained that the king was miserly and instead of giving him "robes of honor and money," he offered Ibn Battuta … three cakes of bread, a piece of beef fried in native oil, and a calabash of sour curds.