Burton, Richard Francis

Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al Madinah and Meccah [2 Vol - Complete]

New York: Dover Publications, 2011.

No Flaws or Blemishes but minimal shelf handling; Still Gift Quality. 8.5 inches tall; with illustrations and maps. Unused.

Sir Richard F. Burton's Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah (1855) stands as a pioneering work in the genre of travel literature, offering a rare and intimate account of the Islamic pilgrimage, the Hajj, undertaken by a European in disguise.

Burton's journey, undertaken in 1853, was a significant feat, as non-Muslims were strictly prohibited from entering Mecca under threat of death. His success in this endeavor was due to his profound knowledge of languages and cultures, which allowed him to convincingly pose as a Muslim.

The narrative is rich with detailed observations of the customs, rituals, and daily life encountered during the pilgrimage. Burton's keen anthropological insights provide readers with a window into 19th-century Arabian society, its religious practices, and the complexities of its social structures. His firsthand experiences are complemented by extensive footnotes and appendices, which delve into various aspects of Islamic culture and the logistics of the pilgrimage.

Subjects: Islamic Pilgrimage, Middle Eastern Culture, Victorian Exploration, Anthropology, Travel Literature, Religious Studies, 19th-Century Exploration

Item #20439

Price: $45.00