The Oldest Travelogue from Chinguetti [Bilād Shinqīṭ, present-day Mauritania]:
The Blessed Journey of al-Ḥājj Muḥammad b. Abī Bakr al-Burtulī al-Wulātī to the Two Holy Sanctuaries (1204-1205AH/1789-1790CE)

The Oldest Travelogue from Chinguetti [Bilād Shinqīṭ, present-day Mauritania]: The Blessed Journey of al-Ḥājj Muḥammad b. Abī Bakr al-Burtulī al-Wulātī to the Two Holy Sanctuaries (1204-1205AH/1789-1790CE) was long considered lost. In addition to its historical value and the information it contains on the cultural relations between the western and eastern parts of the Islamic world, it stands out from other Ḥajj travelogues due to the itinerary it follows. The author describes cities, villages, and shrines of righteous people. The work is unique in its account of the unknown Algerian desert of Tenazruft, the landmarks and places along the way, as well as water wells and the notes on whether these are fresh or salty. The travelogue contains many historical references and reports on some ancient Arabic linguistic phenomena and is characterized by its level of detail and cautiousness.

Edited by Amr Abdelaziz Moneer (PhD Zagazig University, 2007), Associate Professor of Intermediate History at Umm Al-Qura University in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and South Valley, Egypt, who specializes in history, folklore, and travel literature. He has published several monographs on heritage, popular biographies, and history.

This work is of particular interest to those fascinated by travel literature, especially pilgrimages, the history of Chinguetti, Arabic linguistics, and Islamic manuscripts.