Timbuktu, Mali and Today

Timbuktu, Mali and Today The word Timbuktu (or Timbuctoo or Tombouctou) is used in several languages to represent a far-away place, but Timbuktu is an actual city in the African country of Mali. Where Is Timbuktu? Located near the edge of the Niger River, Timbuktu is situated near the middle of Mali in Africa.  Timbuktu had a 2014 population of approximately 15,000 (the recent drop more in half due to its 2012–2013 occupation by Al Qaeda). The 2014 estimate is the latest data available. The Legend of Timbuktu Timbuktu was founded by nomads in the 12th century, and it rapidly became a major trading depot for the caravans of the Sahara Desert. During the 14th century, the legend of Timbuktu as a rich cultural center spread through the world. The beginning of the legend can be traced to 1324, when the Emperor of Mali made his pilgrimage to Mecca via Cairo. In Cairo, the merchants and traders were impressed by the amount of gold carried by the emperor, who claimed that the gold was from Timbuktu. Furthermore, in 1354 the great Muslim explorer Ibn Battuta wrote of his visit to Timbuktu and told of the wealth and gold of the region. Thus, Timbuktu became renown as an African El Dorado, a city made of gold. During the 15th century, Timbuktu grew in importance, but its homes were never made of gold. Timbuktu produced few of its own goods but served as the major trading center for salt across the desert region. The city also became a center of Islamic study and the home of a university and extensive library. The citys maximum population during the 1400s probably numbered somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000, with approximately one-quarter of the population composed of scholars and students. The Legend Grows A 1526 visit to Timbuktu by a Muslim from Grenada, Spain, Leo Africanus, told of Timbuktu as a typical trading outpost. Still, the mythical legend of its wealth persisted. In 1618, a London company was formed to establish trade with Timbuktu. Unfortunately, the first trading expedition ended up with the massacre of all its members, and a second expedition sailed up the Gambia River and thus never reached Timbuktu. In the 1700s and early 1800s, many explorers attempted to reach Timbuktu, but none returned. Many unsuccessful and successful explorers were forced to drink camel urine, their own urine, or even blood to attempt to survive the Sahara Desert. Known wells would be dry or would not provide enough water upon an expeditions arrival. Mungo Park, a Scottish doctor, attempted a trip to Timbuktu in 1805. Unfortunately, his expedition team of dozens of Europeans and natives all died or abandoned the expedition, and Park was left to sail along the Niger River, never visiting Timbuktu but merely shooting at people and other objects on the shore with his guns as his insanity increased. His body was never found. In 1824, the Geographical Society of Paris offered a reward of 7,000 francs and a gold medal valued at 2,000 francs to the first European who could visit Timbuktu and return to tell the story of the mythical city. European Arrival in Timbuktu The first European acknowledged to have reached Timbuktu was Scottish explorer Gordon Laing. He left Tripoli in 1825 and traveled for 13 months to reach Timbuktu. On the way, he was attacked by the ruling Tuareg nomads, was shot and cut by swords, and broke his arm. He recovered from the vicious attack and made his way to Timbuktu, arriving in August 1826. Laing was unimpressed with Timbuktu, which had, as Leo Africanus reported, become simply a salt trading outpost filled with mud-walled homes in the middle of a barren desert. Laing remained in Timbuktu for just over one month. Two days after leaving Timbuktu, he was murdered. French explorer Rene-Auguste Caillie had better luck than Laing. He planned to make his trip to Timbuktu disguised as an Arab as part of a caravan, much to the chagrin of proper European explorers of the era. Caillie studied Arabic and the Islamic religion for several years. In April 1827, he left the coast of West Africa and reached Timbuktu a year later, even though he was ill for five months during the trip. Caillie was unimpressed with Timbuktu and remained there for two weeks. He then returned to Morocco and then went home to France. Caillie published three volumes about his travels and was awarded the prize from the Geographical Society of Paris. German geographer Heinrich Barth left Tripoli with two other explorers in 1850 for a trek to Timbuktu, but his companions both died. Barth reached Timbuktu in 1853 and did not return home until 1855. During the interim, he was feared dead by many. Barth gained fame through the publication of five volumes of his experiences. As with previous explorers to Timbuktu, Barth found the city quite the anticlimax. French Colonial Control In the late 1800s, France took over the Mali region and decided to take Timbuktu away from the control of the violent Tuareg. The French military was sent to occupy Timbuktu in 1894. Under the command of Major  Joseph Joffre (later a famous World War I general), Timbuktu was occupied and became the site of a French fort. Communication between Timbuktu and France was difficult, making the city an unhappy place for a soldier to be stationed. Nonetheless, the area around Timbuktu was well protected, so other nomad groups were able to live without fear of the hostile Tuareg. Modern Timbuktu Even after the invention of air travel, the Sahara was unyielding. The plane making an inaugural air flight from Algiers to Timbuktu in 1920 was lost. Eventually, a successful airstrip was established; however, today, Timbuktu is still most commonly reached by camel, motor vehicle, or boat. In 1960, Timbuktu became part of the independent country of Mali. The population of Timbuktu in a 1940 census was estimated at approximately 5,000 people; in 1976, the population was 19,000; in 1987, 32,000 people resided in the city. In 2009, Mali statistical office census estimates put the population at more than 54,000. In 1988, Timbuktu was designated a United Nations World Heritage Site, and efforts were underway to preserve and protect the city and especially its centuries-old mosques. In 2012, due to regional fighting, the city was placed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, where it still remains in 2018.

Reflection Paper Essay Essays

Reflection Paper Essay Essays Reflection Paper Essay Paper Reflection Paper Essay Paper Reflection Paper North of Manila. the island of Luzon tempted me with some fantastic cragged countries. volcanic landscapes and a beautiful coastline dotted with celestial beaches. Heading up the West seashore from Subic. the Zambales seashore amazed me being dotted with laidback resorts. while the Hundred Islands. as they say. a favorite weekend trip from Manila. gave me an thought on what to see this summer. As I remember. farther along the seashore. the state of La Union draws visitants peculiarly for its surfboarding. North of here is Ilocos Sur. known chiefly for the old colonial metropolis of Vigan. where horse-drawn carriages resile down narrow sett streets. This scenario made me travel back to the ancient times. As I was able to retrieve. the country around the capital of Ilocos Norte state. Laoag. features a figure of sites related to former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. who was born in the nearby small town of Sarrat. Another topographic point was Palanan – the jump-off point for the ha rdly explored Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. For many visitants. though. the premier attractive force in Northern Luzon is the cragged inland Cordillera part. Highlights here include the mountain small town of Sagada with its caves and hanging caskets. and the arresting rice patios around Banaue and Bontoc. In the small town of Kabayan in Benguet state. it’s possible to boost up to see mas. discovered in caves in the early 20th century. Kabayan besides provides entree to Mount Pulag. the highest mountain in Luzon. as I was able to retrieve being discussed as â€Å"Mt. Pulog† . Finally. far off the northern seashore lie the scattered islands of Batanes state. For me. this part is the best in taking finishs for a holiday. When it comes to Visayas. I do love their topographic point. particularly Cebu City that of which includes hints from the Spanish and spiritual yesteryear. specifically the battle between Lapu-Lapu and Magellan in Mactan. On Mactan island. touristry is good developed. Many dive Centres and dive resorts ( more than 75 ) arrange twenty-four hours jaunts and plunging campaign to the environing dive sites. Not merely in the nearby Waterss. but particularly to the nearby little islands. Cebu became the country’s top tourer finish. Another topographic point that I remember was Samar. Here. I saw the celebrated San Juanico Strait and the Leyte Gulf. I besides remembered some of our histories wherein Magellan gave St. Nino to one of it’s Rajas. that of which was non burned during a fire incident. Next would be the National Capital Region ( NCR ) . otherwise known as Metro Manila. It is the centre of Luzon and the capital part of the Philippines. Unlike the other 17 Filipino parts. NCR does non hold any states. It is composed of 16 metropoliss – viz. the City of Manila itself. Caloocan. Las Pinas. Makati. Malabon. Mandaluyong. Marikina. Muntinlupa. Navotas. Pasay. Pasig. Paranaque. Quezon City. San Juan. Taguig. Valenzuela – and the municipality of Pateros. As I was able to retrieve. Metro Manila is composed of about all the cultural groups of the Philippines and the primary linguistic communication used is Tagalog with English as the secondary linguistic communication. As we all know. the part is considered as the political. economic. societal. and cultural centre of the Philippines because it is the cardinal capital of the Philippines. The Malacanan Palace. the official office and abode of the President of the Philippines. and the edifices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines are based in Metro Manila. Metro Manila is besides considered as the shopping centre of the Philippines. Three â€Å"megamalls† are located in this part. Traveling to Makati. it was regarded as the chief cardinal concern territory of Metro Manila while Ortigas City is the 2nd most of import concern territory in Metro Manila. Another fact about it is that Metro Manila is rich in historical landmarks and recreational countries. Located west of Metro Manila is the celebrated Rizal Park. besides known as the Luneta Park. Rizal Park features the Rizal Monument. a statue of the Philippine National Hero. Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Near Rizal Park is the 400-year-old Imperial City known as Intramuros. a walled sphere which was one time the place of authorities during the Spanish Colonial Era and American Period. Luckily. I was able to vist all of these and was enchanted by their ambiance. From what I know. Many pupils from all parts of the Philippines caput to Metro Manila to analyze. Last would be Cardinal Luzon. As what I remembered. known as the fertile cardinal fields. the rice basket of the Philippines. Central Luzon produces most of the country’s dining basic: rice. And because of this copiousness of rice and veggies. the culinary art is merely superb- from the Kapangpangan biringhe and sisig to Bulacan Sweets! It is besides one of the earliest countries converted into Christianity by the Spanish 50 old ages after conquistador Hernando Magallanes foremost stepped on Philippine dirt. Not without a battle though. One of its states is Pampanga. These states farther gave birth to baronial heroes who fought for freedom against oppressors- all three major universe super powers in the span of 500 old ages. Here. we can happen mediaeval churches that stand non merely as architectural chef-doeuvres. but witnesses to a dramatic history. There are a batch of topographic points that will take us back to the ancient times. Apart from all of these. I enjoyed the lively treatment done by the group who presented it. All in all. I was able to appreciate our state. and was familiarized on those topographic points aside from my ain. I began to conceive of myself going from one terminal to another merely to see those discussed from the studies. though it was merely go oning from my imaginativeness. particularly the daintinesss that I was able to expereince in category. This presentations are genuinely significant.

Macy essays

Macy essays Rowland Hussey Macy, born in 1822 was of the eighth Macy generation on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. He was a Quaker and a descendant of Thomas Macy. When Macy was 15, he joined a whaling ship that left New Bedford in December, 1837, and returned four years later. In 1844, when Macy was 22, he opened a thread-and-needle store in Boston and, two years later, a retail dry goods store in the same city. Macy was described as a stocky, bearded veteran of hard times; he was frugal and hot tempered. He was known to flirt with the girls on buying trips to Europe. In 1847, Macy went to work for his brother-in-law, George W. Houghton, a dry goods retailer in Boston. This ended quickly when Macy decided to leave with his brother Charles to California with the Forty-Niners. With his brother Charles B. Mitchell and Edward R. Anthony, Macy formed a partnership as Macy He then returned east and opened a store in April 1851, in Haverhill Massachusetts, under the name R. B. Macy, the initials of his brother, Robert, who had started the dry good business in Boston. At Haverhill Macy started the principles that later he took to New York. Principles like advertising, buy and sell for cash policy and the one-price concept. He also gave notice of attempting to undersell all competition in 1853. Macy stayed in business in Haverhill for four years. During this time he also would go to Wisconsin as a money and real estate broker. In 1858 at age 36 he returned to New York and opened an 11-foot-front store selling ribbons, laces, embroideries, artificial flowers, feathers, handkerchiefs, hosiery and gloves at 204-206 sixth avenue on 14 street in Manhattan. First day sales were $11.06. By the end of 1859 Macys sales totaled to $90,000 and on an advertising budget of $2, 800. Within a month Macy began selling gloves and hosiery for men. By the fol...

Do race and household income impact parental perceptions of homework Thesis

Do race and household income impact parental perceptions of homework - Thesis Example The first category, school choice, refers to parents selecting educational institutions and experiences for their children. While school choice is not yet widespread practice, this movement seems to be gaining momentum (Murphy, 2000). In second type of parent involvement, decision making through formal structures, parents sit on school councils or governance groups where they are expected to take part in collaborative administration of school. This type of involvement is typically the result of school restructuring efforts that devolve decision-making authority from the central office to individual schools. (Coleman 1998) The third category, involvement in teaching and learning, refers to parent involvement in classroom (when parents volunteer), out of classroom (when parents converse with teachers), and at home (when parents help with homework and discuss school-related issues). The fourth category, effect on the physical and material environment, concerns efforts by parents to ensure safe and comfortable school environment for their children. Finally, Dimock, O'Donoghue, and (Robb 1996) discussed parents' responsibility in communicating between home and school. The authors suggested that in this category, parents play significant responsibility when they contact the school and when they obtain communication relating to student progress, school rules, student behavior, and so forth. (Rioux 1996) While those categories give useful framework for analyzing various types of parent involvement, they are not specific enough to measure parent activity in statistically meaningful way. Fortunately, several quantitative measures of parent involvement have been developed. Most of those measures fall into (Dimock et al.'s 1996) teaching and learning or communication categories. Milne, Myers, Rosenthal, and (Ginsburg 1996), such as, focused on issues such as the degree to which parents help with homework, their attendance at parent-teacher conferences, and the association between parent behaviors and student accomplishment. (Merriam 1998) The authors also examined three variables that measure the time children spend on homework, watch television, or read. In another study, (Astone and McLanahan 1998) studied measures related to at-home supervision, discussions within home, observed school progress, and parent aspirations. Findings in both of studies suggested positive association between parent involvement and student accomplishment. Though, after analyzing data from the Longitudinal Study of American Adolescence, (Madigan 1996) developed 10 indicators of parent involvement and found that parent help with homework and the provision of rewards for good grades sometimes had negative effect on student accomplishment. Also, (Sui-Chu and Willms 1996) developed measure of parent involvement for use with the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) base-year data. That measure included 12 indicators of parent involvement clustered around four variables: home discussion, home supervision, school communication, and school participation. (O'Brien 1998) According to the variety of

Preparedness of Intensive Care Unit Nurses Case Study

Preparedness of Intensive Care Unit Nurses - Case Study Example Just by the looks of it, not only are researchers in agreement as to what good palliative care is; there is also a tall task that is assigned to nurses in palliative care. Amidst constant cry for better training and preparation, palliative care nurses are expected to perform these tasks that entail not only academic inputs but psychological and emotional preparedness as well. As we have seen above, even oncology nurses find themselves still wanting when it comes to providing quality end-of-life care, though, no one can deny that palliative nurses are supposed to be the model for end-of-life care. Given these demands of palliative care, and given the fact that even the conference cites palliative care as the guide for quality end-of-life care in the ICU, let us now turn to examine the present situation of UK ICU nurses. After which, we shall see whether they are prepared for end-of-life care, as discussed above, or if they are still wanting. Let us first look at some facts about UK IC U Nurses. We will do the assessment as to their preparedness or unpreparedness after.   ICU nurses may receive training for advanced life support skills.   That nurses may undergo training to be able to provide the following: manual defibrillation, shock advisory defibrillation, intravenous cannulation, intravenous adrenaline administration, laryngeal mask airway insertion, and tracheal intubation (O’Higgins et al. 2001: 46-47). This is an improvement in line with an earlier survey which states that only â€Å"12 percent of British nurses regularly performed arterial puncture† compared to 75 percent of Swedish nurses that regularly do such a procedure (Depasse et al. 1998: 939). Within the same report, it was also stated that British nurses are less involved in invasive procedures, in spite of higher levels of staffing (1998: 944). In the magazine, Nursing (2000: 32 cc6), it was reported that aside from ICU nurses being overworked which may result in increased mortality rate, other factors exist that may contribute to higher mortality rates during peak hours.

Ehics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ehics - Essay Example Active euthanasia requires some direct action which leads to death. There is not a withdrawal of life-support systems, but some affirmative action which speeds up or results in a person's death. The important point is that this type of euthanasia is done to a person who would otherwise die of natural causes. In this way, the death is sped up rather than caused. It is also important to note that active euthanasia is not the same as a mercy killing. A mercy killing occurs when the patient is unable to direct another person. In the active euthanasia situation, by contrast, the patient is aware of what is happening and is able to direct the acts of euthanasia. Thus, the patient agrees to this course of action. There are no questions as to the patient's intent. In sum, active euthanasia is the speeding up of a person's death. This person consents to the euthanasia and would, in any event, die of natural causes. There are many arguments in support of this particular type of euthanasia. As an initial matter, both common people and medical professionals argue in large numbers that prolonging a terminal illness causes unnecessary pain and suffering for the patient and for the patient's friends and family. As mentioned, the person is going to die. Why, then, should we as a moral society force these types of patients to suffer extreme physical and emotional pain Would it not be more ethical to relieve them of this pain, and cut short the trauma and the mental torture Another argument in support of active euthanasia is the stress caused to the family of the patient. There is certainly emotional pain; in addition, there may be many financial problems, too. Advanced medical care is expensive and health insurance is not always available or adequate to cover all of the medical expenses. In addition to the arguments dealing with the pain, suffering, and financial burdens associated with prolonging a terminally ill patient, there are also arguments that focus on the dignity of the patient. This is not the same thing as pain and suffering. The dignity refers to a patient's right to decide his own future. It is the patient's body, his illness, and it is presumptuous and authoritarian to take away a patient's right to determine his own treatment and fate. A patient is a free human being, and as such has the right to reject medical advice or to demand the onset of death or the withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatments. This type of argument, however, assumes that the person is rational and not suffering from a mental illness. A final type of argument in support of active euthanasia is concerned more with society than with an individual patient or his family. There is an argument that medical resources are limited, often expensive, and that it would be foolish to waste these resources on patients who are going to die anyway. Why allocate precious resources to a losing situation when they might be better and more effectively used on other patients In sum, there are many arguments in favor of active euthanasia. First, this practice can relieve the patient of pain and suffering. Second , it can relieve his family from emotional pain and possible financial disasters. Third, this is a personal and private decision which should be made by the individual patient. Finally, it is foolish to waste precious medical resources on pati

12 YEARS A SLAVE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

12 YEARS A SLAVE - Essay Example Additionally, the movie talks about the life of an enslaved educated Black man called Northup who later in life turned to abolish slavery in Louisiana. It is a fact that, many Black people have been killed and many have fought back against discrimination and sexual exploitation and these were the martyr’s who should be remembered according to Copleand. In the author’s eye, solidarity and unity is still a big issue for black people as they are mostly struggling to gain respect and acceptance within the white community. The book and film both tells us that, if one looks at history, many black people had taken the courage to fight for their rights and their effort should be taken as guidance by our community. In fact, black people are as valuable as white person from a religious perspective. In her book (Copeland,2010,pg.113) â€Å"Copeland’s theological anthropology assiduously reveals a carefully developed understanding of historic black bodies in relation to the body of Christ† The author in her book recommends that the history of martyr’s should lead the people to fight for solidarity and peace among each other. In the same way, the movie â€Å"Twelve Years of Slave† is a powerful one which communicates to the audience the life of a black slave. The movie is based on the book written by Solomon Northup where the experience of him as a slave is recounted. He was an educated man and stood firm against racial bias of white men in those times. This man can be taken as a role model as he was an educated and free man till his adult times but later turned in to freedom fighter for the slave community in Louisiana. His life was unusual as he was black person who got kidnapped and sold into slavery where he spent twelve long years in pain. Northup can be seen as a martyr as explained by Copeland and should be followed by new generation to find peace and solidarity in their