Mission to the Volga (Library of Arabic Literature Book 28)

Foreword by Tim Severin. Volume editor: Shawkat M. Toorawa. Earliest surviving instance of sustained first-person travel narrative in Arabic. A pioneering text of peerless historical and literary value. In its pages, we move north on a diplomatic mission from Baghdad to the upper reaches of the Volga River in what is now central Russia. In this colorful documentary from the tenth century, the enigmatic Ibn Fadlan relates his experiences as part of an embassy sent by Caliph al-Muqtadir to deliver political and religious instruction to the recently-converted King of the Bulghars. During eleven months of grueling travel, Ibn Fadlan records the marvels he witnesses on his journey, including an aurora borealis and the white nights of the North. Crucially, he offers a description of the Viking Rus, including their customs, clothing, body painting, and a striking account of a ship funeral. Together, these anecdotes illuminate a vibrant world of diversity during the heyday of the Abbasid Empire, narrated with as much curiosity and zeal as they were perceived by its observant beholder. Mission To The Volaga Is The Oldest Surviving Instance Of Sustained First-person Travel Narrative In Arabic--a Pioneering Text Of Peerless Historical And Literary Value ... In This Colorful Documentary From The Tenth Century, The Enigmatic Ibn Fadlan Relates His Experiences As Part Of An Embassy Sent By Caliph Al-muqtadir To Deliver Political And Religious Instruction To The Recently-converted King Of The Bulghars. During Eleven Months Of Grueling Travel, Ibn Fadlan Records The Marvels He Witnesses On His Journey, Including An Aurora Borealis And The White Nights Of The North. Crucially, He Offers A Description Of The Viking Rus, Including Their Customs, Clothing, Body Painting, And A Striking Account Of A Ship Funeral. Together, These Anecdotes Illuminate A Vibrant World Of Diversity During The Heyday Of The Abbasid Empire, Narrated With As Much Curiosity And Zeal As They Were Perceived By Its Observant Beholder.--provided By Publisher. By Aḥmad Ibn Faḍlān ; Translated By James E. Montgomery ; Foreword By Tim Severin ; Volume Editor, Shawkat M. Toorawa. Translated From The Arabic. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The earliest surviving instance of sustained first-person travel narrative in Arabic Mission to the Volga is a pioneering text of peerless historical and literary value. In its pages, we move north on a diplomatic mission from Baghdad to the upper reaches of the Volga River in what is now central Russia. In this colorful documentary from the tenth century, the enigmatic Ibn Fadlan relates his experiences as part of an embassy sent by Caliph al-Muqtadir to deliver political and religious instruction to the recently-converted King of the Bulghars. During eleven months of grueling travel, Ibn Fadlan records the marvels he witnesses on his journey, including an aurora borealis and the white nights of the North. Crucially, he offers a description of the Viking Rus, including their customs, clothing, body painting, and a striking account of a ship funeral. Together, these anecdotes illuminate a vibrant world of diversity during the heyday of the Abbasid Empire, narrated with as much curiosity and zeal as they were perceived by its observant beholder. An English-only edition. "Mission to the Volaga is the oldest surviving instance of sustained first-person travel narrative in Arabic--a pioneering text of peerless historical and literary value ... In this colorful documentary from the tenth century, the enigmatic Ibn Fadlan relates his experiences as part of an embassy sent by Caliph al-Muqtadir to deliver political and religious instruction to the recently-converted King of the Bulghars. During eleven months of grueling travel, Ibn Fadlan records the marvels he witnesses on his journey, including an aurora borealis and the white nights of the North. Crucially, he offers a description of the Viking Rus, including their customs, clothing, body painting, and a striking account of a ship funeral. Together, these anecdotes illuminate a vibrant world of diversity during the heyday of the Abbasid Empire, narrated with as much curiosity and zeal as they were perceived by its observant beholder."-- Provided by publisher Letter from the General Editor / iii Foreword / xi Acknowledgments / xvi Introduction / xix Notes to the Introduction / xxxix Map: Ibn Faḍlānʼs Route to the Volga / 2 Mission to the Volga / 1 Baghdad / 3 Bukhara / 4 Khwārazm / 6 Al-Jurjāniyyah / 7 The Ghuzziyyah / 10 The Bajanāk / 17 The Bāshghird / 17 The Bulghārs / 18 The Rūsiyyah / 32 The Khazars / 39 Yāqūt’s Quotations From The Book of Ibn Faḍlān / 41 Ibn Faḍlān’s Logbook: An Imagined Reconstruction / 63 Notes / 68 Glossary of Names and Terms / 77 Bibliography / 106 Further Reading / 112 Index / 128 About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute / 134 About the Translator / 135 The Library of Arabic Literature / 136