As the morning sun shines on the Golden Gate Palace, brother and sister, Hisham and Asma, prepare for the journey of a lifetime. The year is 791 CE, and the Abbasid Caliphate is at the height of its power, stretching from India to North Africa. Its capital city of Madinat al-Salaam, also known as Baghdad, is the largest in the Islamic Empire, possibly the world, and it’s only 30 years old. Asma and Hisham are set to leave at sunset for the Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
Most people make the journey when they’re older and wealthier, but Hisham and Asma have wanted to make this journey together since they were children. They intend to travel with the big hajj caravan that is protected by the caliph’s soldiers. The caliph Al-Rashid himself is also traveling with the caravan this year. The hajj caravan is like a massive mobile city, with soldiers, cooks, doctors, merchants, servants, and enslaved people. The journey is long, with dangers like disease, robbery, and dehydration. Because of these perils, Hisham and Asma want to travel with the larger group.
However, a last-minute mishap threatens to undo months of careful planning. When the siblings visit the market to check on the supplies they’ve purchased, the merchant tells them one of their camels has fallen ill, and he doesn’t have any replacements. Without the camel, the siblings won’t be able to depart with the caravan. They search the bustling marketplace, filled with people from different ethnic backgrounds and following different religions, but with the caravan leaving tonight, no one has a camel available.
Though the hajj is primarily a religious journey, the siblings have other, personal hopes for it. Hisham and Asma come from a wealthy family and both had tutors as children. Hisham is studying to become a scholar, progressing from Arabic grammar to Islamic law and Persian love poetry, then to Indian-inspired mathematics and Greek philosophy and medicine. With scholars from all over the empire traveling to Mecca and important intellectual centers on the way, the hajj is a great learning opportunity. Asma, meanwhile, has literary ambitions. As a woman, a life of formal scholarship is not available to her. Instead, she is honing her skills as a poet. She hopes to compose poetry about the journey that will catch the attention of important women in the city, and maybe even Queen Zubayda.
The siblings split up to search for a camel. Hisham heads toward the library complex to ask the scholars’ advice. An elderly scholar studying Galen and Hippocrates tells him how to treat a wound. An Aramaic translator from Damascus shares a list of useful herbs for an upset stomach on the road. A Persian poet wants to share his latest poetry, but Hisham doesn’t see how that will get him the camel for tonight, so he kindly refuses. As he says goodbye, they give him the names of important theology scholars to visit in Medina, on the way to Mecca. But to get there, he’ll need a camel.
Meanwhile, Asma visits an older, married cousin. An enslaved girl opens the door and takes Asma to the women’s quarters, where men cannot enter. Her cousin wants to hear Asma’s latest poetry, but Asma tells her she’s in a hurry and explains their predicament. She’s in luck— her cousin’s husband has a camel to offer them. With their arrangements secure at last, they make their final preparations. At the designated times for men and women, each performs a ritual ablution at one of Baghdad’s many public bathhouses. As the sun sets, the city’s criers announce the caravan’s departure, and the townspeople flock to watch the pilgrims leave.
Using a blank map of the Abbasid Caliphate, trace the route Hisham and Asma would take from Baghdad to Mecca. Mark key locations they might pass through, such as Medina. Research the historical significance of these places and write a brief description for each. This will help you understand the vastness of the empire and the challenges of the journey.
In groups, reenact the scene where Hisham and Asma search for a camel in the bustling marketplace. Assign roles such as merchants, scholars, and townspeople. Use props and dialogue to bring the scene to life. This activity will help you appreciate the diversity and complexity of the marketplace in Baghdad.
Inspired by Asma’s literary ambitions, write a poem about a journey or adventure. Use descriptive language to convey emotions and settings. Share your poem with the class and discuss how poetry can capture the essence of personal experiences and historical events.
Conduct a research project on the Abbasid Caliphate, focusing on its cultural, scientific, and intellectual achievements. Create a presentation or poster that highlights key figures, inventions, and contributions to various fields such as mathematics, medicine, and literature. This will give you a deeper understanding of the historical context of Hisham and Asma’s journey.
Hold a class debate on the pros and cons of traveling in a large caravan versus traveling alone or in a small group. Consider factors such as safety, resources, and social interactions. This activity will help you think critically about the logistics and challenges of long-distance travel in historical times.
journey – a long trip or travel from one place to another – We embarked on a journey to explore the ancient ruins.
hajj – the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims – Muslims from all around the world gather in Mecca to perform the hajj.
pilgrimage – a journey made to a sacred place for religious or spiritual reasons – Many people undertake a pilgrimage to Varanasi, India to bathe in the holy Ganges River.
caravan – a group of people traveling together, often in a long line of vehicles or animals – The nomads traveled through the desert in a caravan of camels and tents.
soldiers – members of the military trained to engage in combat on land – The brave soldiers fought valiantly to defend their country.
mishap – an unfortunate accident or mistake – He had a mishap when he spilled coffee all over his new shirt.
marketplace – a location where goods and services are bought and sold – The bustling marketplace was filled with vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
scholars – people who have expertise or knowledge in a particular field, often through advanced education – The conference was attended by renowned scholars from various universities.
poetry – a form of literary expression that uses rhythm and words to evoke emotions and convey ideas – She wrote beautiful poetry that touched the hearts of many readers.
camel – a large, long-necked mammal with a humped back, often used as a beast of burden in desert regions – The Bedouins relied on their trusty camels to transport them across the arid desert.
