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Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah — Volume 1

by Richard Francis Burton (1821–1890)

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  • 10 hours to read
  • 22 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah — Volume 1" by Captain Sir Richard F. Burton is a historical account written during the mid-19th century. In this work, Burton recounts his daring expedition through the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, chronicling his experience as he assumes the persona of a Muslim pilgrim in order to undertake the sacred Hajj to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This narrative not only provides insights into the challenges and dangers faced by Westerners in the Islamic world but also explores the cultural and social dynamics of the regions he navigates. The beginning of the narrative introduces readers to the motivations behind Burton's pilgrimage. It details his desire to penetrate the unexplored regions of Arabia and garner firsthand experiences of its culture. Burton recalls the arrangements for his journey, including acquiring the necessary disguise and preparing for the arduous trek. He describes the initial leg of his voyage, starting from Alexandria, where he immerses himself in the local customs and engage with various characters who populate this bustling environment. This opening portion sets the stage for an adventure filled with peril, introspection, and rich observations about a world that was largely uncharted for Europeans at the time.

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  • Arabian Peninsula · Description and travel

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Edited by His Wife, Isabel Burton

BY

K.C.M.G., F.R.G.S., &c., &c., &c.

"Our notions of Mecca must be drawn from the Arabians; as no unbeliever is permitted to enter the city, our travellers are silent."-Gibbon, chap. 50.

AFTER my beloved husband had passed away from amongst us, after the funeral had taken place, and I had settled in England, I began to think in what way I could render him the most honour. A material Monument to his memory has already been erected by his countrymen in the shape of a handsome contribution to the beautiful Mausoleum-tent in stone and marble to contain his remains; but I also hoped to erect a less material, but more imperishable, Monument to his name, by making this unique hero better known to his countrymen by his Works, which have hitherto not been sufficiently known, not extensively enough published, and issued perhaps at a prohibitive price. Viewing the long list of Works written by him between 1842 and 1890, many of which are still unpublished, I was almost disheartened by the magnitude of the work, until the Publishers, Messrs. Tylston and Edwards, fully appreciating the interest with which the British Public had followed my husband's adventurous career and fearless enterprise, arranged to produce this uniform Memorial Edition at their own expense.

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Contents

  1. Edited by His Wife, Isabel Burton
  2. Richard F. Burton
  3. And Lord Rector of the Marischal College, Aberdeen
  4. Richard F. Burton
  5. To Alexandria
  6. I Leave Alexandria
  7. Life in the Wakalah
  8. The Ramazan
  9. The Mosque
  10. Preparations to Quit Cairo
  11. From Cairo to Suez
  12. Suez
  13. The Pilgrim Ship
  14. To Yambu'
  15. The Halt at Yambu'
  16. From Yambu' to Bir Abbas
  17. From Bir Abbas to Al-Madinah
  18. Through the Suburb of Al-Madinah to Hamid's House
  19. A Visit to the Prophet's Tomb
  20. Al-Madinah
  21. A Ride to the Mosque of Kuba
  22. The Visitation of Hamzah's Tomb

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About this edition

This free edition of Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah — Volume 1 by Richard Francis Burton comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #4657, released 2003-11-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Travel Writing, History - Modern (1750+), Archaeology & Anthropology.

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