Ibn Battuta was a famous traveler in the 14th century. Born in Morocco, he was once known as Marco Polo in the Arab world. However, for historians, Ibn Battuta’s travel notes are more credible than “Marco Polo’s Travel Notes”, because the history books of many countries have recorded the arrival of Ibn Battuta.

Portrait of Ibn Battuta

The identity of Ibn Battuta: traveler, scholar and judge

Ibn Battuta’s footprints spread all over the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. In addition to his identity as a traveler, he was also a well-known scholar and judge. It is for this reason that when Ibn Battuta was traveling, Always receive the warm hospitality of the locals.

Among the residents who had hospitalized Ibn Battuta, the Turkic people who lived in the Anatolian plateau (in present-day Turkey) most remembered him.

Residential area of ​​the Anatolian Plateau

The Ottoman Empire has become a power on the Anatolian Plateau

Around 1332, the 28-year-old Ibn Battuta arrived on the Anatolian plateau. And visited more than twenty towns in this land.

At that time, the Anatolian Plateau was mainly inhabited by Turks and Byzantines. In 1299 AD, thanks to the efforts of Ottoman I, the embryonic form of the Ottoman Empire had appeared. When Ibn Battuta arrived here, Osman I had passed away, and his son Orhan inherited the throne. During Orhan’s rule, the Ottoman Empire had conquered most of the northwestern Anatolian plateau. area.

Portrait of Orhan During his travels on the Anatolian Plateau, Ibn Battuta only claimed to have met Orhan and received silver coins from Orhan, but did not describe the detailed process of his meeting with Orhan. However, Ibn Battuta described Orhan’s mighty strength.

Orhan is the son of Ottoman. Among the many kings of Turkic nomads, Orhan has power that no one can match. He also possesses the largest number of property, land under his rule, and army under his command. Orhan owns more than one hundred castles and fortresses, so he spends most of his time inspecting his castles. Soldiers of the Ottoman Empire

The warm hospitality of the Turks to Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta’s first stop to Anatolia was the city of Alanya in southern Turkey. In this city, Ibn Battuta learned about Anatolia for the first time. Asia’s “Young Brotherhood”.

Most of the members of the Youth Brotherhood are young craftsmen and men without families. They provide food and drink to the outsiders, help the outsiders to solve their difficulties, and even do their best to be a hero. Ibn Battuta claims that no one in the world welcomes outsiders more than they do. The Youth Brotherhood has built many temples to receive foreigners. They will make a living by themselves during the day. When night falls, they will bring all kinds of food to the temple and sing, dance and sing with the foreigners who travel here. Eat and live together.

Turkish dance

When Ibn Battuta arrived in the towns of Anatolia, he was also entertained by members of the Youth Brotherhood, and the hospitality of the Youth Brotherhood even flattered Ibn Battuta who came from afar.

When he came to a small town called Lazku, Ibn Battuta and his companions rode into the market in the town. At this moment, vendors in the market rushed to the side of Ibn Battuta. Some people grabbed the reins of Ibn Battuta’s horses, and another group began to fight over. The two sides competed with each other and even pulled out daggers. This chaotic scene made Ibn Battuta feel terrified.

Turks in the Ottoman Empire

While the two sides were arguing, Ibn Battuta met a Turk who could speak Arabic in the market. During the conversation, the Turk told Ibn Battuta why this happened. thing.

It turns out that these two groups are members of the Youth Brotherhood. They all wanted to entertain Ibn Battuta, but they drew their swords because of disagreement. Later, under the persuasion of Ibn Battuta, the two sides decided to draw lots to decide who would entertain Ibn Battuta, and Ibn Battuta eventually went to the hall of the winner of the lottery.

Turkish cuisine

When Ibn Battuta came to the temple, these Turks immediately served meals, and then accompanied Ibn Battuta to the bath. After the bath, these people filled the table with guests. Eat desserts, and let Ibn Battuta listen to music and watch dances.

Although most of these Turks do not understand Arabic and do not know Ibn Battuta, they still behave very pleasantly and courteously when getting along with the guests. During his travels in Anatolia, Ibn Battuta received warm hospitality almost every day, which also made Ibn Battuta admire the Turkish hospitality.

Turks in film and television works

Why do the Turks hospitality Ibn Battuta?

In addition to the hospitable nature of the nomads, the main reason why the Turks of the Anatolian Plateau have to treat Ibn Battuta so diligently is because Ibn Battuta is not only one. A great traveler, but also a jurist fluent in Arabic.

It is precisely because of this special status that Ibn Battuta received warm hospitality. Because in the 14th century, The Turks in the Anatolian Plateau have just been converted, so they are very welcome to guests from the Arab world, and Ibn Battuta is very knowledgeable, and will naturally become a guest of these Turks.

Reference materials: “Ibn Battuta’s Travels” “The Ottoman Empire: Five Hundred Years of Peace”