Otherness and the Representation of the Cultural Other in Ibn Baṭṭūṭa’s Travels
Abstract
This article examines the representation of the cultural ‘Other’ and expressions of ‘otherness’ in Ibn Baṭṭūṭa’s travels across diverse regions. The article aims to identify the structures of cultural centrism that shaped perceptions of the Other during the significant period of cultural exchange and encounter that was the medieval Arab-Islamic era. Using a cultural interpretation attuned to the concept of alterity, the research explores various facets of this representation, highlighting the types of centrism that influenced these perceptions and describing and examining the relevant phenomena encountered during Ibn Baṭṭūṭa’s travels. The focus is on the cultural elements and narrative techniques used in Ibn Baṭṭūṭa’s writing to construct the image of the Other, revealing their origins in broader cultural dominance and historical contexts. By analysing how Ibn Baṭṭūṭa recounts his encounters with different peoples and societies, the article illuminates how these narratives reflect the complexities of identity, belonging, and the exoticisation of the Other. This analysis is valuable because interactions driven by the quest for recognition and understanding of the Other continue to shape modern perspectives and discourses on cultural difference and similarity. Thus, Ibn Baṭṭūṭa’s travels serve as a crucial lens through which the dynamics of cultural representation can be understood.
Keywords
Otherness, Cultural Centrism, Medieval Islamic Era, Travel, Ibn Baṭṭūṭa
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