Leo Africanus in Africa (c. 1510-1520)

1. 1. mount Atlas

   Today: Atlas Mountains, Morocco · Arrived 1 January 1510

   The narrator describes the region near the Atlas Mountains, noting its proximity to the river Ziz and the presence of castles and agricultural activity at the mountain's foot.

   THis region^ extending it selfe by the riuer of Ziz vnto mount Atlas, containeth many castles, and bringeth forth great abundance of dates, which dates are but of small value.

2. 2. Segelmessa

   Today: Tafilalt, Morocco · Arrived 1 January 1510

   Segelmessa, also known as Sigilmassa or Segelmesse, was a historically significant Berber town and commercial center, later succeeded by the region of Tafilet. By the early 16th century, the Shereefs Ahmed and Mohammed occupied Tafilet and left a garrison there, marking its importance in regional power shifts.

   It is not until early in the sixteenth century that Tafilet is generally spoken of by the Moorish historians. In 1530 the Shereefs Ahmed and Mohammed occupied Tafilet and left a garrison there.

3. 3. Gualata

   Today: Walata, Mauritania · Arrived 1 January 1511

   Gualata was once a major commercial center frequented by Barbary merchants, but after the reign of the mighty and rich prince Heli, trade shifted to Timbuktu and Gago, leading to the decline and impoverishment of the region.

   In this region the people of Libya, while they were lords of the land of Negros, ordained their chiefe princely seate : and then great store of Barbarie-merchants frequented Gualata : but afterward in the raigne of the mighty and rich prince Heli^ the said merchants leauing Gualata, began to resort vnto Tombuto and Gago, which was the occasion that the region of Gualata grew extreme beggerly.

4. 4. Timbuktu

   Today: Timbuktu, Mali · Arrived 1 January 1512

   Leo Africanus visited Timbuktu, describing it as a significant trading town and providing details about its history, condition, and importance during the early 16th century.

   Timbuktu means in the Songhai language a hollow, and perhaps got the name from being built in the cavity of the sand hills. It was founded towards the end of the fifth century of the Hegeira Ca.d. 1087-8) by the Tuireg, who have since used its site as an occasional camping-place

5. 5. Gago, Gogo, Gagho, Gawo, or Gao

   Today: Gao, Mali · Arrived 1 January 1512

   Gao, referred to as Gago, Gogo, Gagho, or Gawo, was the capital of the Songhai empire and a major center of commerce and political power during the reign of Askia. During Leo Africanus's travels, it was a principal destination for merchants and the seat of the Songhai ruler.

   but afterward in the raigne of the mighty and rich prince Heli^ the said merchants leauing Gualata, began to resort vnto Tombuto and Gago, which was the occasion that the region of Gualata grew extreme beggerly.

6. 6. Niger

   Today: Niger River, Mali/Niger · Arrived 1 January 1512

   Leo Africanus describes navigating the Niger River with the current from Timbuktu to Ghinea and Melli, indicating travel and commerce along the river west of Timbuktu.

   Such however, is not the case, for we navigated it with the current from Timbuktu to Ghinea and Melli, which are to the West of Timbuktu.

7. 7. Agadez

   Today: Agadez, Niger · Arrived 1 January 1512

   The city of Agadez, near Libya, is described as having recently been walled by a king, with stately houses and a population noted for being lighter-skinned than other peoples of the region. The city was formerly the seat of a king before being conquered and oppressed by Izchia, king of Tombuto.

   THe citie of Agadez^^ standing neere vnto Lybia was not long since walled round about by a certaine king. The inhabitants are all whiter then other Negros : and their houses are stately built after the fashion of Barbarie. The greatest part of the citizens are forren

8. 8. Cano

   Today: Kano, Nigeria · Arrived 1 January 1512

   Merchants from Cano (Kano) traveled to Borno, facing dangers from thieves called Zingani, and upon arrival in towns, employed their slaves in various tasks. The king of Cano maintained a notable guard and the city was a center of commerce and craftsmanship.

   Euery merchant hath a great many of seruants and slaues, who attend vpon them as they trauell from Cano to Bomo : for in that ioumey they are ex- ceedingly molested by certaine theeues called Zingani, Zingani. insomuch that they dare not trauell the same way vnlesse they be well appointed : in my time they vsed crosse* bowes for their defence: when the said merchants be arriued at any towne, they presently employ all their slaues about some busines, to the end they may not Hue in idlenes : ten or twelue they keepe to attend vpon them- selues and their wares. The king of this citie hath alwaies a notable garde about him, and continueth for the most

9. 9. Borno

   Today: Borno, Lake Chad region, Nigeria · Arrived 1 January 1512 · position reconstructed

   The chronicler describes the kingdom of Borno, noting its geography, the abundance of grain in its plains, and the presence of populous villages inhabited by merchants. The king of Borno is described as powerful and levying only a tenth of their fruit as tax.

   The situation of this kingdome is very vneuen, some part thereof being mountainous, and the residue plaine. Vpon the plaines are sundry villages inhabited by rich merchants, and abounding with corne. The king of this region and

   Why is this position reconstructed?

10. 10. Tunis

    Today: Tunis, Tunisia · Arrived 1 January 1513

    The narrator describes the city of Tunis, noting its decline, the state of its merchants and inhabitants, and the oppressive exactions by the king. The account provides a contemporary view of the city's condition during the early 16th century.

    A description of the mightie citie of Tunis,

11. 11. Cairo

    Today: Cairo, Egypt · Arrived 1 January 1514

    The traveler arrived at Cairo, described as one of the greatest and most famous cities in the world, and provided a detailed account of its size, population, and notable buildings.

    CAiro is commonly reputed to be one of the greatest and most famous cities in al the whole world. But leauing the common reports & opinions thereof, I will 2^ exactly describe the forme and estate wherin it ♦now

12. 12. Alexandria

    Today: Alexandria, Egypt · Arrived 1 January 1514

    The author describes the city of Alexandria as a major port frequented by ships from many nations for trade, noting its decline after coming under Muslim rule but its continued importance as a commercial hub.

    THe great citie of Alexandria in Egypt founded by Alexander the great, not without the aduise of most famous and skilfull architects, vpon a beautifull point of land stretching into the Mediterran sea, and being distant 40. miles westward of Nilus,® was in times past, till it grew subiect vnto the Mahumetans, most sumptuously and strongly built, as diuers and sundry authors beare record. Afterward this citie decaying many yeeres together, was depriued of the ancient renowme and honour, and remained in manner desolate, because no merchants of Greece, nor of any other part of Europe exercised any longer traffique therein.

13. 13. Keneh

    Today: Qena, Egypt · Arrived 1 January 1514

    Leo Africanus reached Keneh (modern Qena) in Upper Egypt during his journey up the Nile, before crossing to Kosseir on the Red Sea. He noted its importance as a trading center with connections to the Red Sea ports.

    Keneh, the site of the ancient Caenopolis or Neapolis. It still does a great trade with Kosseir (Chossir), Yambo (lambuh, Emba), and Jiddah. It is actually about eighty miles from the Red Sea.

14. 14. Fez

    Today: Fez, Morocco · Arrived 1 January 1515

    Leo Africanus returned to his native city of Fez after his travels in Europe and the Mediterranean, intending to describe his journeys and the regions he had seen.

    Likewise I will set downe my last voiages from Fez to Constantinople, from Constanti- nople to Egypt, and from thence into Italic, in which lourney I saw diuers and sundry Islands. All which my trauels I meane (by Gods assistance) being returned forth of Europe into mine owne countrie, particularly to describe ; decyphering first the regions of Europe and Asia which I haue seen, and thereunto annexing this my discourse of Africa ; to the end that I may promote the endeuours of such as are desirous to know the state of forren countries.

15. 15. Rome

    Today: Rome, Italy · Arrived 1 January 1518

    After being taken by Italian pirates from the isle of Gerbi, John Leo (Leo Africanus) was carried to Rome, where he later wrote his account of Africa.

    Written at Rome in the ye ere of Christ 1526. and vpon t/ie tenth of March.

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