Islamic Empires - The Journeys of Ahmad ibn Fadlan

Ahmad ibn Fadlan’s 921 journey to the Volga Bulgars, documenting his encounters with the Viking Rus. Activities include:

o Documentary Analysis: Analyse a documentary to gain insights into the cultures ibn Fadlan encountered.

o Guided Reading and Writing: Engage with ibn Fadlan’s descriptions of Viking customs and reflect on the anthropological significance.

o Creative Postcard Activity: Students write a postcard as if they were ibn Fadlan, describing one of the cultures encountered on his journey.

o Cultural Impact Discussion: Evaluate how ibn Fadlan’s detailed accounts have contributed to our understanding of early medieval societies.

This lesson delves into ibn Fadlan’s unique perspective on the Viking Rus, emphasizing his role in documenting and preserving their cultural practices.