Module 2.3: Abraham Cresques Catalan Atlas - Humanities in Class Online Courses Forum

Abraham Cresques Catalan Atlas

Carolina Hernandez — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 03:19:34 +0000

Drawing comparisons between the excerpt and the map, I can see that this atlas aimed to include parts of Asia and Africa that had not been depicted before as a way to increase intrigue about these continents. A quote from the excerpt, "...the most interesting feature of the Catalan Atlas is its identification of Mali and its famous king, who is call Musse Melley." The writer then further goes on to explain that he was depicted as "unambiguously black" and "the richest and noblest" due to the abundance of gold found in his lands. While this shows another perspective of the African people and that they too are filled with riches, perhaps the map achieved a different effect. It made these countries/continents appealing and 'exotic' to Europeans and fueled the need to explore and exploit them for their riches rather than respect them for what they each contribute and offer the world.

Nsibidi

William Fee — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:38:47 +0000

Where people used it/developed it at what time

According to AncientAfricanHistory.com, Nsibidi is believed to have been in use since approximately 5000 BCE, though the oldest extant examples trace it to around 2000 BCE. It is an ancient symbolic script used by the Ejagham or Ekoi people, who spread it to Ibibios, Efiks and Igbos, in modern day Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad.

what artifacts show its use

Nsibidi appears on clothing, pottery, skin (tattoos), and on houses. It was also used to keep records of events such as trials. Nsibidi is split into 2 variants- common and sacred, across thousands of symbols. The common use include women’s textiles and tattoos for both sexes. The sacred sort was used by secret male societies, such as the Nigerian Leopard Society, and by the government of the tribes. Its most ancient uses were found on pottery starting in the early 1900s.

what languages use the script (for example, Ajami is written in many languages (Wollof, Kiswahili, Hausa, and many more!)

Nsibidi is used for Nigerian, Efik-Ibibio, Igbo, and Jagham.

and if you are able, its significance to users and to world heritage

Nsibidi is the earliest of the West Africa languages we have found below the Sahara. Though East Africa is known to have had writing back to the same period and farther, West Africa is generally not acknowledged to have had writing in the non-Saharan countries, leading to the reference to Blackest Africa.

Nnedi Okorafor has brought attention to the script and its languages in her Nsibidi Script trilogy.

Abraham Cresques Catalan Atlas

Mary Perez — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:02:38 +0000

The Catalan Atlas created by Abraham Cresques’ reveals the different societies that were developed during Medieval times. Also this atlas created by Abraham Cresques reveals the relationship between European, African, and Asian people. This map shows the great wealth in Africa, more specifically North and West Africa. Moreover, the atlas describes in detail the wealthy famous Mali King. Abraham describes him as a wealthy and important man who possessed rich lands overflowing with gold. Therefore, indicating that the more wealthy you are the more power you hold. After reading the excerpt from Howard French’s book, we can infer that maps were used to explore and depict a European view of Africa.

Catalan Atlas

William Fee — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 19:41:17 +0000

By centering Africa and shrinking Europe, this map inverts the standard Eurocentric view of the day., It shows the variety of trades and trade routes of the continent, proving that it wasn't just the backward home of savages. In addition, by depicting Mansa Mussa in the same way as a European king, it was an assertion of importance, and a statement that the African continent was as powerful as Europe.

Reflections on the Catalan Atlas

Jessica Friday — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 18:28:07 +0000

The Catalan Atlas reflects the complex, well-developed societies in Africa in the medieval period. Interestingly, this map shows a greater level of civilization in Africa (and Asia) than in Europe during this era. Although this representation reflects European understandings of society, it also undermines modern portrayals of African history as lacking. Further, this atlas shows the interactions between various African peoples and Europeans and Asians. Finally, this atlas demonstrates the high levels of wealth that existed in Africa during the 14th century. Interestingly, this atlas was one of the factors that drove European overseas exploration in the 15th century.

Abraham Cresques Catalan Atlas

Hugo Perez — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:48:45 +0000

The Catalan Atlas, created by Abraham Cresques reveals that he had a relatively accurate and detailed understanding of Africa compared to European cartographers of the time. The map portrays Africa as a continent with a rich and diverse landscape, featuring mountains, rivers, deserts, and various regions labeled with different kingdoms and cities. The Catalan Atlas includes depictions of thriving cities, trading routes, and ships along the African coast, indicating that Cresques understood the importance of trade and cultural exchange in the region. Africa is depicted as an integral part of the known world, with trade routes extending across the Mediterranean and connecting to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Gold and Gods

ZoAnne DiFonzo — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:55:43 +0000

The Catalan Atlas, created by the Jewish cartographer Abraham Cresques, offers us a fascinating glimpse into the perspectives of the mapmaker about Africa through it's detailed representation of Africa, showing not only its coastal locations but also the interior of the continent, which was quite rare for its time. What's really interesting is that it depicts Mansa Musa of Mali, highlighting the region's wealth due to its abundant gold reserves. The map also reflects the prevalence of Christianity versus Islam in different areas by showing crosses and onion domes, respectively. Moreover, it includes depictions of various African people, such as the Touareg nomad and the King of Mali, giving us a peek into the ethnic and political realities of the continent as understood by the mapmaker. The vibrant and colorful imagery on the map really brings to life the cultural and geographical knowledge of the 14th century. It's like taking a journey back in time to see how people viewed and understood Africa centuries ago!

Eurocentric View of Africa

Amber Banks — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:14:57 +0000

After reviewing the Catalan map of Africa and reading the excerpt from Howard W. French, it is obvious that maps were utilized during the 14th century to show Europeans how they could view these countries in Africa as a tool to help them to benefit and strengthen their own countries. It does not speak to or demonstrate how these countries developed their own sophisticated societies and cultures. It strives to show these African countries as smaller than their native lands, stresses the importance of their riches and resources. So it shows their bias and intentions to use maps to express their dominance and their beliefs about Africa which were very limited at the time. Especially in the way in which they described Mansa Musa, "identification of Mali and its famous king, who is called Musse Melly. The ruler is depicted as unambiguously Black and glowingly described in the following terms: “sovereign of the land of the negroes of Gineva ." It shows that they did not fully understand who he was and the effect that he not only had on his own country but throughout the world.

Money is Power

Juan Sandoval — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:22:59 +0000

Money equals Power and the map makes me believe implies that wealth is seen as a way to demonstrate power and influence. This belief is still relevant today as many people believe that with money comes power.

Discussion 2.3

Lou Inguito — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:43:57 +0000

From my understanding of this piece, the Mapmaker sees Africa as a place where wealth exists. I see this in the depiction of Mansa Musa, the camels, and the landmarks noted by the buildings and flags. However, I do notice that although Mansa Musa is depicted as someone with power as noted by his posture and gold accents, he is not equal to the European powers. He is depicted as smaller than the other figures in the piece. Therefore, I infer that the mapmaker may still see Europe as higher than Africa.