EGYPTIAN REMINISCENCES OF THE CZECH TOWNSMAN MARTIN KABATNIK (1492)

Abstract

The article highlights the prerequisites, course and consequences of the journey of the Czech townsman Martin Kabatnik to Egypt and, based on the analysis of his travel notes, characterizes the life of the population of the Mamluk Sultanate capital – the city of Cairo. It is noted that M. Kabatnik was in Egypt for twenty days in the spring of 1492, and soon after returning to his homeland, he dictated to the local scribe Adam Bakalarzh everything he saw there personally or heard from local residents, and after the traveler's death, he published these records. The article emphasizes that Martin Kabatnik’s travel notes cover a wide range of life in the Mamluk Sultanate, which the traveler describes without prejudice and which he often compares with the realities in the Czech Kingdom. His description of the customs and way of life of Egyptian Arabs is extremely valuable. Also noteworthy is M. Kabatnik’s study of the issue of coexistence of religious communities, primarily Christians and Hebrews (Jews), under the rule of Islam. For the first time in Ukrainian historiography, the study analyzes the material of Martin Kabatnik’s travel notes regarding his stay in Cairo. Based on the source, a detailed description of the city at that time and the life of its inhabitants is traced, an overview of the social structure of the population and the organization of political administration in Egypt is made, and the significant cultural achievements of the region during the reign of the Mamluk dynasty are emphasized. Some customs of the Muslim community caused Martin Kabatnik’s sincere surprise or complete rejection. Among other things, he observed that the Mamluks treated Jews more favorably than Christians. The article asserts the opinion that the published essay by Martin Kabatnik is, without a doubt, an interesting and informative material for studying the history of the Mamluk Sultanate of the late 15th century and the history of the medieval East in general.